This weekend Nantwich Jazz and Blues festival returns for 5 days of musical mayhem.

You may be considering having a few drinks this weekend but if you do it is vital that you don't drive. Crewe-based Swansway Motor Group have put together some alternatives to drink driving so that you can still make the most of Jazz Fest weekend, whilst keeping you and those around you safe.

Seventeen per cent of all fatalities on roads are caused by drink driving, so the assumption that you can drive home over the limit because "you won't get caught" or "you don't feel drunk" is a dangerous one.

"This weekend there is expected to be a higher police presence on the roads as they look to crack down on drink driving, so you likely to get caught if you do get behind the wheel after a few drinks and the consequences are not worth it. You could face up to six months' imprisonment, an unlimited fine and be banned from driving for at least a year, but more seriously, you could cause serious harm to yourself, your passengers or any other drivers on the roads.

"Statistics suggest 81% of convicted drink drivers are male, so groups of lads are best placed booking a taxi or having a designated driver.

"You are 46% more likely to be at fault in a collision if you have 10mg alcohol per 100ml of blood than you are with 0mg of alcohol. The legal limit is 80mg so even a small amount is a major risk. It;s better to avoid drinking any alcohol at all if you plan on driving."

The effects of alcohol will likely still be present the next morning so make sure you wait plenty of time for any alcohol to leave your system before driving, say Swansway .

"On average, alcohol is removed from the body at a rate of one alcoholic unit an hour. Alcohol can still be detected on your breath after 24 hours.

advertisement

"Thankfully, there are measures you can take to enjoy the weekend without drinking and driving.

"The first option is to seek non-alcoholic alternatives. These days there are loads of options including 0% beer and wine, mocktails, or soft drinks.

"Not only do these options help you avoid a hangover, but they're cheaper, healthier, and mean you can still feel part of the fun. When you're out for Jazz Fest, is it the beer which makes the experience fun or is it the socialising with friends, having a laugh, and listening to live music?"

If you do decide to drink, do not get behind the wheel. There are taxis available all weekend from either the taxi rank in Nantwich or you can pre-book with any of these taxi firms say Swansway.

"Alternatively jazz fest is a five-day event so you and your friends can take it in turns to be the designated driver.

"However, you spend this easter weekend do not get behind the wheel drunk as you'll be endangering lives. If you want more advice on driving at night or want to know more about the drink driving limits, check out the Swansway blog."

Would you like to know more about Sandbach?

Free from clickbait, pop-up ads and unwanted surveys, Sandbach Nub News is a quality online newspaper for our town.

advertisement

Please consider following Sandbach Nub News on Facebook  or Twitter

We also have a weekly newsletter with the TOP FIVE stories of the week - sign up here