We all know it's both illegal and irresponsible to drive under the influence of alcohol. Yet, it happens every single day. Lives are lost, and often innocent ones at that.

So, we've decided to pass along a few tips on how to avoid the drink drive temptation, courtesy of Simon Elstow at driver training specialist IAM Drive & Survive.

• Don't try to calculate whether or not you are over the limit, and remember home measures are often larger. Research shows that consuming even a small quantity of alcohol in the day increases the body's natural fatigue in the late afternoon.

• Many crashes involve pedestrians who have been drinking when walking home. When you're driving, be aware that pedestrians may be the worse for wear and unpredictable.

• If you drive to a party and drink more than you expected to, don't risk it. Get a taxi or arrange for a friend or family member to pick you up.

• A drinking session the night before might put you over the legal limit the following day. Keep this in mind and organise alternative travel plans for the next morning if you're planning a big night out.

• If you know someone has been drinking, don't let them give you a lift or drive home.

• Ignore peer pressure. Your friends or family have had a few and don't want to pay for a taxi. You have your car, but have been drinking. Don't give in; it's your life that's at stake.

Elstow said: "Enjoy yourself and leave the car at home. Gin and tonic mix well - drinking and driving don't."