Devon and Cornwall Police’s Sergeant Owen Messenger has shared a ‘tour’ of a holding-cell in a bid to deter people from drink-driving over the festive season
A police officer has issued a drink-driving warning ahead of what is regarded as the most common week of the year for the offence to occur. With workplace Christmas party season now in full swing, Devon and Cornwall Police have teamed up with road safety experts, George’s Car Media to reveal “where you will end up” should you show disregard for the law.
In a TikTok video recorded at Exeter Police Station, Sergeant Owen Messenger of the force’s Roads Policing division provided a tour of “where you would end up” if caught. “This is a cell that you’re likely to be put in if you are caught drink or drug-driving this Christmas,” he explained.
Unlocking the cell door, Sgt Messenger headed inside to show off the grim surroundings. “Down here you’ve got the mattress and pillow,” he said. “It’s not the most comfortable and as you can see, it is very thin.”
On the opposite side of the room sits a basic toilet in the corner with one ply of toilet paper. “You’ve got a sink on the wall and on the other wall is an intercom you can contact us on,” Sgt Messenger continued. “It’s not the most hospitable.”
“I wouldn’t want to be spending the night on that,” he said as he sampled the mattress’ comfort. “And how bad is that single ply? They do say the tissue paper in prison is pretty bad.”
“It’s not particularly nice,” he declared before sharing further guidance. “Alcohol leaves your body at a rate of around one unit per hour, starting about 30 minutes after your last drink.
“Sleep, food and hydration do not speed up the process. Around one in five drivers caught drink-driving are stopped the morning after. Don’t let your good decisions end when you go to sleep.”
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland the drink-driving alcohol limit is 35 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath. In Scotland, meanwhile, that figure is lower at 22 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath.
According to the government, the way alcohol affects you depends on:
- your weight, age, sex and metabolism (the rate your body uses energy)
- the type and amount of alcohol you’re drinking
- what you’ve eaten recently
- your stress levels at the time
Being in charge of a vehicle while above the legal limit or unfit through drink, you may get:
- 3 months’ imprisonment
- up to £2,500 fine
- a possible driving ban
Driving or attempting to drive while above the legal limit or unfit through drink, you may get:
- 6 months’ imprisonment
- an unlimited fine
- a ban from driving for at least 1 year (3 years if convicted twice in 10 years)
