drink-ˈdriving, n. (and a.)
[f. drink v.1 + driving vbl. n.]
a. The action of driving or attempting to drive a motor vehicle with an excessive proportion of alcohol in one's blood (esp. with an amount that exceeds a legally fixed limit).
| 1964 Daily Tel. 22 Jan. 23/5 (heading) 282 arrests for drink driving. 1976 Newmarket Jrnl. 16 Dec. 7/3 The first mention of any possible charge relating to drink-driving came after he had given a blood sample. 1984 Daily Express 5 Nov. 1/3 He appears..accused on three counts—assaulting a policeman, drink-driving and failing to turn up in court. |
b. attrib., as drink-driving (rarely drink-and-driving) accident, drink-driving charge, drink-driving law, drink-driving offence. Occas. as adj.
| 1967 Daily Tel. 17 May 14/3 An extensive ‘educational campaign’ on the effects of the new drink-and-driving laws is being prepared by the Ministry of Transport. 1971 Reader's Digest Family Guide to Law 513/1 The drink-driving offender faces a stiff fine, possible imprisonment, and almost certain disqualification for at least a year. 1976 Times 20 Mar. 3/2 Committed for trial to Knightsbridge Crown Court on a drink driving charge. 1976 Newmarket Jrnl. 16 Dec. 7/2 He had been fined {pstlg}40 and disqualified for one year for a drink-driving offence. 1982 Daily Tel. 31 Dec. 30/3 The United States where 26,000 people die in drink-driving accidents every year. |