Drink Driving in the United Kingdom Published Aug. 22, 2008 By Maj. John Northon 48th Security Forces Squadron commander ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- Everyone who drives in the United Kingdom would probably agree doing so can be a dangerous endeavor. Unfortunately, some Airmen decide to face the danger with less than perfect faculties by getting behind the wheel after drinking alcoholic beverages. If you are one of these Airmen who made or were tempted to make a decision to drive after drinking, there a few things you need to understand about the differences between the U.K. and U.S. laws regarding drinking and driving. In the U.S., a police officer must observe a violation of law or have reasonable belief that a violation of law occurred in order to stop a vehicle. This requirement is meant to protect our freedoms and not to be a way out for bad behavior. Unfortunately, some of you might feel you can drive after drinking because you won't do anything that would clue a police officer in to the fact you are breaking the law. In the U.K., you don't even have to make it to your car to be arrested for drunk driving. A constable can direct you to give a breath sample if he suspects you of being intoxicated and in possession of your car keys, if you are attempting to get in to your motor vehicle, or you are in your motor vehicle with the keys on or about your person. If you are driving your vehicle, a constable does not have to have a reason to pull you over. According to Ministry of Defence Police Constable Paul Glover, a car can be pulled over even if you don't do anything wrong for many reasons, including: anti-terrorism checks, vehicle theft checks, and area stop and search checks. When planning a night of drinking, always include a designated driver in your plan. Remember: you don't have to be behind the wheel in the U.K. to be arrested for drink driving.