Q412: How much alcohol can I drink and not be over the limit?

You should report the person to the police or if you wish to do so anonymously via Crimestoppers (Please see the Crimestoppers website in Related Information). The information that the police require before they can act is the registration number of the vehicle involved, the person's name, description and if possible the address and details of any regular journeys that this person makes e.g. every Thursday night at approximately 2330hrs B leaves the pub and drives the same route home.

With the information you have provided, the police can then potentially wait for the vehicle somewhere along that route to stop the car.

There are three offences that you could possibly be charged with:

• Drive a motor vehicle whilst over the permitted limit (OPL)
• Attempt to drive a motor vehicle whilst OPL
• In charge of a motor vehicle whilst OPL.

The third option may be the most relevant. You must show that there is no likelihood of you driving whilst you are over the limit, otherwise you will commit this offence.

It would depend on the circumstances in which you were found by the police that would determine which if any of the above charges would apply.

Sucking a copper coin or chewing gum will have no effect whatsoever on the breath test machine or on the results.

Yes, there is an offence of being in charge of a motor vehicle whilst being over the permitted limit. Each case would be judged on its own merits but the officers would be looking at

• whether you had the keys for the vehicle
• were you in the vehicle at the time
• what were you doing at the time
• whether there was anyone else in or near the vehicle
• what evidence is there that you were intending to drive the vehicle