Drink Driving

Sadly, a large number of people are killed or injured each year by drink drivers. We all know that the results of driving while having consumed alcohol is illegal and dangerous but what are the exact rules?

There are strict alcohol limits for drivers, but it’s impossible to say exactly how many drinks this equals – it can be different for each person.

In England and Wales, the alcohol limit for drivers is 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, 35 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath or 107 milligrams per 100 millilitres of urine. In most other European countries, the limit is less, usually 50 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood.

The way alcohol affects you depends on:

• your weight, age, sex and metabolism (the rate your body uses energy)
• the type and amount of alcohol you’re drinking
• what you’ve eaten recently
• your stress levels at the time

The safest way to avoid not breaking the law is to simply not drink and drive.

There are many different penalties for drink driving.

Being in charge of a vehicle while above the legal limit or unfit through drink.

You may get:

• 3 months’ imprisonment
• up to £2,500 fine
• a possible driving ban

Driving or attempting to drive while above the legal limit or unfit through drink

You may get:

• 6 months’ imprisonment
• an unlimited fine
• a driving ban for at least 1 year (3 years if convicted twice in 10 years)

Refusing to provide a specimen of breath, blood or urine for analysis

You may get:

• 6 months’ imprisonment
• an unlimited fine
• a ban from driving for at least 1 year

Causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink

You may get:

• 14 years’ imprisonment
• an unlimited fine
• a ban from driving for at least 2 years
• an extended driving test before your licence is returned

Do not risk it. Leave your car at home.

If you have been involved in an accident with a drink driver, contact our office on 0161 491 8520.

Kenzie Leahy

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