A man has demonstrated how easily motorists can exceed the legal drink-drive limit after consuming just two pints of lager. James Palmer-Rimmer, a social media content creator, filmed himself drinking two pints of Stella Artois (4.6% ABV) and then taking a breathalyser test. The device showed a reading of 0.014, well above the legal limit of 0.008 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
In the TikTok clip, Mr Palmer-Rimmer explained that followers had requested the experiment. After waiting 20 to 30 minutes, he blew into the breathalyser and declared: 'We wanted that to be 0.008, so I am over the limit, I can't drive.' The legal limit is lower in Scotland, at 0.005.
The demonstration comes amid ongoing concerns about drink-driving. According to the RAC, there were 4,620 alcohol-related collisions in Britain last year, leading to 6,800 injuries and between 290 and 320 fatalities. Police have repeatedly warned that even small amounts of alcohol can impair driving ability.
Senior officers have called for the limits in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to be aligned with Scotland's stricter threshold. Offenders face severe penalties, including up to life imprisonment for causing death by careless driving while under the influence, an unlimited fine, and a minimum five-year driving ban.
