IAM Roadsmart has warned football fans not to give into drink-drive temptation as England prepare to play in the World Cup semi-final tonight.

The charity is warning drivers not to get behind the wheel tonight or tomorrow morning if they have overdone the celebrations - or commiserations - after England play Croatia.

Richard Gladman, IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding standards, said: “The last time football came home in 1966 almost 8,000 people died on Britain’s roads.

"We have made huge progress in road safety since then with just under 1,800 killed in 2016.

"We want everyone to celebrate, but there will be little to enjoy if you are sat in a jail cell. The best tip is even one drink could be too many.”

IAM RoadSmart says that a single pint of beer or glass of wine could put a driver over the limit depending on their BMI (body mass index).

There is no such thing as a ‘guaranteed’ amount that you can drink up to that keeps you under the limit – especially in Scotland where the drink-drive limit is lower than England and Wales.

IAM has issued the following advice:

  • Know how much you are drinking. Drinks consumed at home or at a friend’s house are often larger than those in public venues and may contain a lot more units of alcohol than you think
  • Leave your vehicle at home. If you do take your car and change your mind make sure you have parked your car in a place that you are able to leave overnight before you start drinking. Don’t go back to it after; as you have had a drink it may be difficult to prove you were not going to drive
  • Get your transport sorted out beforehand. If you arrange a taxi or minibus for yourself and your friends it takes any pressure off to drive 
  • Nominate a designated driver and make sure they stick to zero alcohol. Remember it is distracting and potentially dangerous having drunk passengers when you are an inexperienced driver; play the game and behave. 
  • Don’t succumb to peer pressure; stick to your guns if you are the driver. Don’t try to guess how may drinks will be safe, you are playing Russian roulette not only with your licence but potentially with your life
  • Be careful of the ‘morning after.’ The only cure for ‘being drunk’ is time. Alcohol will take hours to leave your system so after a late night you may not be fit to drive all day.

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