All About Drink Driving offences in the UK
Drinking and driving are heavily penalised in the UK. "Drunk" according to motor laws refers to a state wherein the blood alcohol content in a person is higher than permissible levels. A person found guilty of drink driving can be fined, face prison time and be banned from driving. Drink driving solicitors defend people who have been charged with drink driving obtain a reduced sentence or get the charges dropped altogether. A conviction in a drink driving case will be on the permanent record of the person. This could cause issues with employment and increase insurance costs considerably.
When the driver is found to be drunk
The first type of drink driving offence under the motor laws in the UK is where the person driving the vehicle is found to have more than the permissible alcohol content in their blood. It is also an offence to attempt to drive in this state. In both instances, the penalty imposed by the laws in the UK is imprisonment for six months, a driving ban for one year and a fine with no maximum limit. The driving ban is for three years if it is the second conviction within ten years.
When the person in charge is drunk
The next type of drink driving offence is when the person in charge of a vehicle is found to be drunk. According to the law, if a person is found guilty, he/she can face three months of imprisonment and will have to pay a fine of £2,500. There is also a possibility of being banned from driving, depending on the severity of the offence. A drink driving solicitor is the only way to get these penalties reduced.
Refusal to provide a specimen for analysis
Police test the breath, urine and blood of a person to prove that they were drunk whilst driving. They can stop suspected drivers and ask them to provide a specimen of the above three to analyse the alcohol content in their body. Refusal to provide such specimens is punishable by imprisonment for six months, fine and a ban for a minimum of 1 year.
Death caused by driving drunk
This is the highest degree of an offence under the drink driving category of offences. The penalty for this offence includes imprisonment for 14 years, fine and a driving ban for at least two years.








