Drink Driving Law
The Ringrose Law motoring team can assist individuals with charges relating to drink driving law.
There are several offences that can be lumped together as “drink driving.” Different penalties apply, and the prosecution has to prove different things. However, they are all similar in that the consequences for the driver are catastrophic, and will normally result in disqualification from driving.
It is therefore essential that you receive expert advice from our specialist Motoring Defence Team in Lincolnshire as soon as possible.
What is driving with excess alcohol?
Drink driving is in general terms any of the following;
- Driving while over the alcohol limit
- Attempting to drive while over the limit
- Being in charge of a vehicle while over the limit
Other similar offences include;
- Failing to provide a specimen of breath, blood or urine when required to do so
- Failing to provide such a specimen when in charge of a vehicle
Each offence has different requirements that need to be proved, and each offence has different defences available.
What are the current drink driving limits?
The current drink driving law limits in the UK are;
- 35 micrograms of alcohol in 100 ml of breath
- 80mg of alcohol in 100 ml of blood
- 107mg of alcohol in 100 ml of urine
The higher the level of the reading, the worse the penalty, if you are convicted.
What happens if you fail a roadside breath test?
A police officer can perform a roadside breath test if they suspect that you are driving under the influence of alcohol. If this provides a positive reading then you will be arrested and taken to a police station for further investigation.
If you are charged with drink driving you will be required to go to court and the prosecution will have to prove that you were driving with excess alcohol in your breath, urine or blood.
Pleading guilty to drink driving
If you are convicted of driving with excess alcohol law the minimum penalty is a 12 month disqualification and a fine. However the courts will frequently impose much longer driving bans and send people to prison for high readings or repeat offenders.
There are also other consequences to receiving a drink driving conviction such as higher insurance premiums. Alternatively you could attend a drink drive rehabilitation course in the hope of reducing the ban. Sometimes, you could be required to undergo a medical examination before you can drive again.
We can help
If you have been convicted under the drink driving law you need to contact our expert motoring defence team. Call 0845 601 2664 to speak with a member of our team.