Probably a very ridiculous question....

Just my thought but I would say that as 99.05% of the liquid you are consuming is non alcholic is would probably dilute the tiny amount of alcohol you are drinking.

Erm, well let's say on (very) average, you can have 2 pints of standard alcohol beer and still drive. Standard APR would be 4.5%, so you be looking at having consumed (4.5/100)*2 pints of alcohol (0.09). So if you're drinking 0.5% alcohol beer (also in pints) you'd be able to consume 0.09*100/0.05 = 18 pints.

I think you'd need to stop of for the loo too often to drink that much!

When you calculate alcohol breakdown from the body after drinking before driving, it's recommended you do it from the time you finish drinking. However, in this case, assuming you're not drinking more than 4.5pints an hour, you'll be breaking it down as fast as you consume it.

Is it really 2 pints of beer? That feels quite a lot.

I remember reading a story about an guy who'd gone to the pub every friday after work and had his usual 2 pints. One Friday after being at the pub he was pulled over and breathalised and found to be over the limit.

Simple answer - no.

It's given as a guide, however the amount you can drink varies from person to person, and day to day (depending on what you've eaten, your size, sex, age, other metabolic factors). Also, remembering a lot of largers are significantly stronger (especially Stella) than what was originally average, when units of alcohol measures were brought out. I've heard of people over the limit after a small glass of wine, and others who can drink 4+ pints.

<road safety hat> the only safe amount is none </road safety hat>

I'd agree with that. I 'feel' the effects of the alcohol quite quickly and wouldn't feel safe driving if i'd had a whole glass of wine.

If it was zero tolerance then it would be much easier to guage. I'm way to scared to drink any alcohol if I know I'm driving.

I personally don't think zero tolerence would work - you would then have cases of small amounts of unburnt off alcohol in food, potential for having a positive after mouth wash etc. I do, however believe the limit should be lowered to half what it is now, so effectively you can't drink anything, but there is leeway for the above posibilities.

But if you advertise that it's zero tolerance but "allow" a small amount for what you mentioned then on the brethalisers then it wouldn't be a problem. By having a limit it allows people to think they can have 1 pint, or a spirit and mixer. I would most people wouldn't allow for alcohol in food to factor in to a lowered limit.

I guess with zero tolerance I'd be concerned about how much I'd drunk the night before.. for example, if I'd had 2 or 3 glasses of wine on a night out I'd still expect to be okay for the school run the next morning (assuming, say, 9 hours after my last drink).

How would you know when *all* the alcohol had left your body?