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Both the Swiss Canton of Vaud police and the French gendarmerie are cracking down hard over the holidays on motorists who have been drinking and still insist on driving. The Geneva cantonal police have not been so forthright in their anti-alcohol campaign but will still be "vigilant." The limit in both countries is 0.5 per mille, the same as most other European states, which is the rough equivalent of one glass of wine. However, this depends on individual bodyweight and metabolism. The fact is, you may be over the limit without realizing it; a good meal cooked with alcohol, even if supposedly “cooked off,” can raise your alcohol count, or maybe your “I only had a glass of wine” might in fact be two, three or more. So why take the risk, particularly given that a lowering of the tolerance level in recent years has significantly reduced (18% in Switzerland) the number of accidents and deaths?

The penalties for driving under the influence are harsh. Between 0.5 and 0.79 p/mille can result in a stiff fine or imprisonment. The Vaud police have said that anyone over 0.5 p/mille will be obliged to leave their car. Anyone above 0.8 risks a minimum of three months imprisonment, a fine, and a temporary or permanent loss of your license. The French penalties are similar.

The police do not need a reason to stop you. Both will be operating mobile checkpoints throughout the holiday period and are not saying where. So the best recommendation is simply not to drive, even if you have had only one drink. Appoint a dedicated driver.

Or, make use of the Red Nose or Nez Rouge transporation service. This is a service of volunteers operating during holiday periods who will drive you home after a party. The service is free, but you are welcome to make a donation. So don’t be stingy. It can save your life, or someone else’s.

You can phone the Nez Rouge in Switzerland and France using the same Freephone number: Tel. 0800-802-208. The associations in both countries operate on a regional basis, so you need to tell them whether you will be crossing borders or not.

Or you can check their websites for the specific times over the holidays when they will be operating. The Geneva one -  www.nezrouge-geneve.ch - will link you to the other Swiss regional sites. Ditto the French one: www.operationnezrouge.fr/