Alcohol, drugs and medicines

The legal alcohol limit in the Netherlands is 0.5 per mille for experienced drivers and 0.2 per mille for new drivers (first 5 years). Alcohol increases reaction time, reduces field of vision and impairs risk assessment. The body breaks down approximately 0.1 to 0.15 per mille per hour — coffee, fresh air or food do not speed this up. Many medicines also affect driving ability. Always check the driving symbol on the packaging.