That’s it, it’s a comeback Christmas markets ! With all its magic, small stalls with homemade products, food and also… mulled wine ! Also called Glühwein in German, this typical winter drink is nothing more than a lightly brewed wine with a strong aroma. To add flavor, many different spices are often added and drunk very hot. but its impact is often underestimatedespecially in the cold winter when you want to get behind the wheel again…
Indeed, for some one cup almost allows you to reach the limit of the blood alcohol level allowed on the road!
How much alcohol is in mulled wine?
Mulled wine contains from 7 to 14.5% alcohol and spreads faster in the blood than cold drinks. Digestive organs are more blood-supplied due to heat andalcohol is absorbed faster. The high sugar content of the drink also has a strong accelerating effect.
As a reminder, the level of alcohol in the blood depends on body weight and the alcohol content in the drink. WITH strict legal limiti.e. blood alcohol level greater than or equal to 0.5 g/l of blood (ie 0.25 mg of alcohol per liter of exhaled air), it only takes a large glass of mulled wine to reach that limit for small sizes. A second cup and you’re immediately over the limit! That’s why it’s better don’t drive after visiting the Christmas market with mulled wine.
#Advent calendar Day
: If mulled wine is flowing during
#Christmas , be careful if you get behind the wheel
! Blood alcohol levels vary from country to country in Europe.
Read our information here https://t.co/yUYuh8xhEX @RoutePlusSure pic.twitter.com/OTGs9pJGLR
— European Consumer Center in France (@ECCFrance) December 17, 2018
What are the penalties if you get checked?
It is formal prohibited driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.5 g/l or more.
We remind you that from 0.5 g/l to 0.8 g/l you will receive a fine. The fine incurred can be as high as €750, but is generally a fixed penalty 135 euros. Your car is immobilized and 6 points are deducted from your driver’s license.
Finally, driving with a blood alcohol level equal to or greater than 0.8 g/L is a offense. You get a big fine and you also risk jail time (less than 10 years). The police can take away your license and thus deprive you of the right to drive for a maximum of 72 hours. Your vehicle is immobilized and 6 points are deducted from the driver’s license. In addition, the prefect may suspend your license or require you to drive with an alcohol interlock device (EAD), depending on the results of the blood test.
You also risk other penalties, details here on the government website.
No alcohol driving after the Christmas market
Therefore, if you want to go to the Christmas market by car, you should put off the mulled wine and choose non-alcoholic punch or one hot apple juice. Another solution: make mulled wine at home!
Whoever is driving does not drink…
Is it too early for mulled wine? I do not think so pic.twitter.com/u78r7xFWWa
— Sówiló (@sowilotattoo) November 22, 2022
Source: Auto Plus
Robert is an experienced journalist who has been covering the automobile industry for over a decade. He has a deep understanding of the latest technologies and trends in the industry and is known for his thorough and in-depth reporting.