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When is it safe to drive after drinking the night before? How long alcohol takes to leave your body; This is a question many people ask after they've been out celebrating over Christmas and want to stay safe on the roads.

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Byline: Sonia Sharma

As festive celebrations get under way across the North East, people are being warned not to drink and drive.

Northumbria Policehas launched its annual Christmas drink and drug driving campaign to help keep the roads safe over Christmas and New Year.

But as people make efforts to stay safe, there's one question many ask the morning after the night before - am I all right to drive?

You might not consider getting behind the wheel after having a few drinks, but what about the next morning?

The road safety charity Brake found that one in five motorists admit to driving the morning after drinking heavily the night before.

Some people think that if they have been to sleep they are safe to drive - but in fact, you could wake up still over the limit.

According to Drinkaware's chief medical adviser, Dr Paul Wallace, the amount of alcohol in your bloodstream depends on three things:

* The amount you take in

* Over what period of time

* The speed at which your body gets rid of it.

It takes around an hour per unit, but this can vary depending on a number of things, including weight, gender, age, your metabolism, how much food you have eaten, what you have been drinking, whether you're taking medication and the type of medication.

No. Drinking lots of water or eating a big breakfast might help 'sober you up', but it won't actually quicken the speed at which alcohol leaves the body.

Afraid not. You can't speed up the process. Of course, re-hydrating with plenty of fluid is good for you but alcohol takes time to leave your body.

As a rough guide, it's around three hours if you drink one large glass of wine (250ml/three units), about two hours to break down a weak pint of...

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