POLICE across Dorset are raising awareness of the minimum time to allow before driving after drinking alcohol.
Before getting behind the wheel after drinking a large 14 per cent glass of wine (250ml), which is 3.5 units, a motorist should wait four-and-a-half hours, according to police.
If a person consumes five large glasses of wine, they should not get behind the wheel for a minimum of 18-and-a-half hours.
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A motorist should not get behind the wheel for three-and-a-half hours after consuming a four per cent pint of beer, and should wait 13 hours if they consume five pints.
A motorist should not get behind the wheel for two hours after consuming a single 40 per cent spirit (25ml), which is one unit, and should wait six hours if they drink five units of 25ml spirits.
A Dorset Police spokesman said: "You don’t have to be drunk to be a drink driver, and any amount of alcohol in your system can impair your judgement.
"Don’t be the cause of someone never going home to their family, whether that is yourself or someone else.
"Just because you do not blow 'over the limit' it does not mean you are not under the influence.
"It's therefore safest to not drink at all before driving, but you should also give very careful thought to driving the morning after drinking.
"If you are in any doubt at all – then don’t get behind the wheel."
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