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www.bllaw.co.uk/services_for_individuals/motoring_offences.aspx
www.motoringlaw.co.uk
FACTS ABOUT DRINK DRIVING
What is the drink driving limit?
In the UK the drink driving limit is:
35 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath; or
80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood; or
107 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of urine.
So here's a question: what is a drink driver?
We often think of a 'drink driver' as a very drunk person, not a careful social drinker: someone who has drunk so much alcohol that they can hardly stand, let alone get behind a wheel.
But the truth is that a drink driver is anyone who is over the legal alcohol limit for driving. No matter how little they may be over that limit, or how careful they think they are.
A drink driver is very often someone who thinks they'll be 'alright' with just another pint or even a half-pint. Or the morning after.
How much is too much?
The alcohol limit is there for a reason. It's because the risk of being involved in a crash is dramatically bigger, the more alcohol you drink. And even a very small amount of alcohol affects our driving skills - slows down reaction times, gives false confidence and reduces concentration.
It also makes us take risks we wouldn't normally take, even if we don't realise it.
Is drink driving really a problem?
Just look at the facts:
one in six road deaths is caused by drivers over the drink drive limit
every day around 250 drivers fail a breath test
the risk of being involved in a crash increases rapidly with the amount of alcohol drunk
even small amounts of alcohol will affect your ability to judge distance and speed, and will slow your reaction time
How will I know when I've reached the limit?
You won't, so don't try to guess whether you're alright to drive or not. If you're guessing, then you're gambling with your licence, your life and the lives of other people.
It's far better to avoid drinking at all. Or don't use the car.
What can I do to avoid a drink driving problem?
Rather than gambling with lives, pick any one of the simple ways you can easily avoid a drink driving problem:
stick to non alcoholic and soft drinks if you are the driver
if someone else is driving, make sure they stick to soft drinks
never offer an alcoholic drink to a driver
arrange for someone who is not drinking to drive
take a taxi
use public transport
stay overnight
These are the relevant drink driving offences
Failing to provide a roadside breath test (Code DR70)
Penalty - Fine - up to Level 3 (£1,000)4 penalty points on your licence
Disqualification is at the discretion of the Court
Driving/Attempting to Drive with excess alcohol (DR10)
Penalty - Fine - up to Level 5 (£5,000) and/or up to 6 months imprisonment
Mandatory disqualification for at least 12 months for first offence
Mandatory disqualification for at least 3 years for second offence within 10 years.
Being in charge of a motor vehicle with excess alcohol (DR40)
Penalty - Fine - up to Level 4 (£2,500) and/or up to 3 months imprisonment
10 penalty points on your licence
Disqualification is at the discretion of the Court
After Driving/Attempting to drive refusing to provide samples for analysis (DR30)
Penalty - Fine - up to Level 5 (£5,000) and/or 6 months imprisonment
Mandatory disqualification for at least 12 months for first offence (18 months tends to be the norm as you are considered to have been trying to avoid being found guilty)
Mandatory disqualification for at least 3 years for second offence within 10 years
After being in charge refusing to provide samples for analysis (DR60)
Penalty - Fine - Level 4 (£2,500) and/or 3 months imprisonment
10 penalty points on your licence
Disqualification is at the discretion of the Court
It very important to remember, being involved in an accident whilst intoxicated may deem your insurance null and void. |
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