Focus on Alcohol advise on safe enjoyment of alcohol at Crieff Highland Games
Last updated | 18/08/2011
As part of its summer alcohol awareness campaign, this Sunday (21st August 2011), Perth & Kinross Focus on Alcohol will be at the Crieff Highland Games in the town's Market Park, to give advice on enjoying a drink safely to those attending.
Focus on Alcohol, which is a sub group of the Alcohol & Drugs Partnership in Perth & Kinross, will also be handing out free Alcohol Unit Measure Glasses to stress the message to be aware the morning after of how much you drank the night before, especially if you're thinking about driving. People will be going to this year's Games to enjoy themselves, but should also consider the effects that alcohol can have in your body the next day, for example anyone who would normally be driving, whether to work or taking children to school.
Chief Superintendent Roddy Ross of Tayside Police's Western Division said, “Highland Games are special occasions and towns look forward to them every year. Drink has always played a part in these events and helps the day along in good company, particularly if the weather is poor. But every year people get themselves in trouble by not planning their day properly. Don't take your car to the games field if you think you might meet old friends and have a drink - leave it at home and watch when you drive it the next day - the alcohol you take in during a long day and evening in the beer tent can take longer to process than you think. Remember this event is on a Sunday and many people will have to get up early on the Monday to drive to work. The message from Focus on Alcohol is to have a good day, enjoy the Games and look after yourselves. While you're at the Games, have a chat with Focus on Alcohol who'll be there with free unit measure tumblers and good practical advice!”
Be aware of your alcohol consumption
Liam McLaughlin, Focus on Alcohol Lead Officer commented: “Highland Games are a traditional part of the Scottish Summer, with thousands of people going to these events and having a really great family day out. Crieff is one of the important events in this calendar of games, and we wish everyone an enjoyable day, but would also ask people to be aware that as this is a Sunday event, if you are intending to be up early on Monday morning and behind the wheel, please watch your alcohol consumption."
Colin Crawford from Games organisers, Crieff Highland Gathering added: "This is an important day in the local and Scottish Highland Games Association calendar, and I hope everyone coming will have an enjoyable time. We would echo the comments here to encourage Games-goers to be careful about how much they drink, especially if they're driving early the next day."
If you believe that you have had too much alcohol, do not drive. Get a lift from a friend or take public transport, this is all better than losing your licence.
Legal limit advice
Alcohol Focus Scotland provide valuable information around alcohol and driving. The legal limit is 80mg of alcohol in 100ml blood. The equivalent in the roadside breath tests administered by the police is 35 micrograms of alcohol in 100 milliliters of breath.
The legal limit is difficult to translate into a certain number of drinks because, as Alcohol Focus Scotland explain,“it’s different for each person - factors to take into account include the size and strength of drink, your tolerance, weight, gender, whether you’ve eaten, whether you’re on medication.” This is why health professionals recommend that people do not drink at all before they drive. It takes 1 hour approx for the liver to process 1 unit of alcohol, so, for example, if you finish a bottle of wine at 9pm, you may still be over the limit at 7am the next morning.
Bill Nicoll, Chair of the Alcohol and Drug Partnership in Perth and Kinross said: “The effects of drink driving can never be underestimated. The advice we give is to think of the legal consequences as well as the social consequences to you and your family if you lose your driving licence. Could you do what you would normally without it?”
