Driving under the influence of alcohol is considered as a serious offence in India. In the event of an accident in such a condition, the law deals with offenders with great severity. The punishment is fine and/or imprisonment up to 6 months, and the driving license is suspended for at least six months.

Drunken driving is one of the main reasons for vehicle accidents and is among the biggest life-takers on Indian roads.

Alcohol goes from the stomach straight to the blood stream. The body takes about an hour to rid itself of one drink - this means that if one drinks at a rate faster than that, the alcohol content in the body will soon exceed tolerable limits.

As the quantity of alcohol in the bloodstream rises, the brain is affected, and one's sense of judgment is skewed. At higher levels of intoxication, there are muscle control problems, blurred vision, and finally, a complete loss of physical co-ordination facilities. Given these facts, driving, even with low alcohol levels can be very dangerous.

The Misconception	The Truth
Alcohol increases your ability to drive	Alcohol makes you less alert and will reduce your ability to drive safely
Some people drink a lot and don't get affected by it	Everyone who drinks is affected by it
If you eat a lot first, you will not get drunk	Food will slow down the effects of alcohol but will not prevent them
Coffee and a bit of fresh air will help a drinker sober up	Only time helps a drinker sober up, other methods just do not work
Stick to beer - it is not as strong as whisky	A few beers have a the same effect as a few pegs or a few glasses of wine