Do you know the penalties for drink driving?

Christmas is fast approaching, which also means it’s Christmas party season!

Our criminal defence and road traffic team at Churchers are very conscious that alongside the festivities, local police will also be hot on drink driving at this time of year.

Many people may not view drink or drug driving offences as particularly serious when compared directly against other offences but the reality is that many do not understand the real impact and consequences that drink or drug driving can have.

Most importantly, it is crucial to remember that driving under the influence puts people’s lives at risk; for the driver and also other road users.

The impact of losing a driving licence is often extremely significant and can lead to unemployment, financial issues and increased insurance premiums. The strain caused by even a short driving disqualification can have an impact for many years, even after the disqualification period has ended.

So how much should I drink if I am planning to drive?

The safest approach is not to have any alcohol at all. When a driver has had no alcohol, their driving ability and reaction time will not be impaired at all. There are many myths about having ‘two pints’ and still being under the limit but this has been proved incorrect. Every person’s body reacts to alcohol in a different way. The effects of alcohol can even be dependent on how much a person has eaten that day.

Feeling ‘okay to drive’ is not a reliable indication of whether you are below the legal limit or not. The consequences of getting behind the wheel after ‘just a few’ drinks could be extremely costly, not only financially but also in terms of the risk that you pose to yourself and other road users.

How can Churchers help?

If you do make a mistake and find yourself in trouble during the festive period, there is a lot that Churchers can do to assist.

The police must follow certain procedures to prove a case against you. The lawyers in our road traffic team will carefully analyse the evidence against you to ensure the correct procedures have been followed. If the case can be proved against you then we can advise you about whether a ‘special reason’ can be raised on your behalf. Mitigation could be raised in court to try and reduce the length of a driving disqualification.

Churchers have a specialist road traffic team on hand to assist you every step of the way who can be contacted on 02392 820 747.

We offer a fixed fee appointment and representation at Court. Legal aid may be available, depending on your circumstances.