It's fun to have a few drinks with your friends, but if you are drinking, the safest options are to catch public transport or a taxi, get a lift with a sober friend or stay overnight. Better still, if you plan to drive, don't drink.

However, if you do have a few drinks, the general rule to stay under the limit is:

• men can have two standard drinks in the first hour and one every hour after that
• women can have one standard drink in the first hour and one every hour after that.

Please note this is a guide only. Other factors, such as body composition and whether you have eaten or not will determine how a standard drink will affect your blood alcohol concentration limit.

Also remember, the only thing that will reduce your blood alcohol concentration level is time. It takes your liver about one hour to process the alcohol in one standard drink. Coffee, cold showers, vomiting, or exercise, will not reduce your blood alcohol concentration.

Driving under the influence of drugs is just as dangerous as drink-driving. With side effects such as slower reaction times, distorted perceptions of speed and distance and reduced concentration and coordination—why would you risk it?

As well as illegal drugs, common medications such as cold and flu tablets, antihistamines, painkillers and migraine drugs can also affect driving abilities.

The best way to avoid driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is to leave the car at home and pre-plan alternative travel arrangements. Planning ahead is important, as it may be difficult to make good decisions about driving once alcohol or drugs have been taken.

Tips to drive sober:

• plan ahead and decide how many drinks you will have
• finish each drink before you have another—avoid top-ups
• alternate alcoholic drinks with soft drinks or low-alcohol drinks
• eat before and while you drink to fill your stomach and reduce the amount of drinks you consume. Avoid salty foods as this will only make you thirsty
• remember that after a big night you can still have alcohol in your system, so don't be in a rush to get behind the wheel. Chances are you will still be over the limit the next morning
• never drive after taking illegal drugs
• never drive after taking prescribed or over-the-counter medications that could affect your driving
• if you take any drug and you are unsure of the effect of that drug on your ability to drive, don't drive, use public transport, ask someone else to drive or catch a taxi.

Drive sober. Be here. Here for Life.

More information about drink-driving:

• anti-drink driving
• drinking responsibly
• skipper program
• anti-drink driving campaign

More information about drug-driving:

• anti-drug driving
• anti-drug driving campaign

More information about medications:

• prescription and over-the-counter medications