Don’t drink and drive this Christmas

So what are the current UK drink-drive laws?

Since 1967 the alcohol prescribed limits have not changed in England and Wales being 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres (ml) of breath; 80 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 ml of blood and 107 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 ml of urine.

A Police Officer who has reasonable cause to believe you have been drinking alcohol prior to driving or suspects that you have committed a road traffic offence or been involved in a road traffic collision may  ask you to provide a preliminary breath sample. If you refuse or the test reveals that your alcohol level exceeds the prescribed limit  you will be arrested.

If the subsequent evidential breath/blood or urine specimen taken at the police station confirms the alcohol level is in excess of the prescribed limit then you will be charged and required to attend court.

A conviction of being in charge of a vehicle or driving or attempting to drive whilst above the legal limit or refusing to supply a specimen of breath/blood or urine for analysis can result in a penalty of imprisonment, a very substantial fine and disqualification

According to the latest published yearly statistics (2021) from the Department for Transport an estimated 6,480 people were killed or injured on UK roads when at least one driver was over the drink-drive limit.

A Cambridge University study has found that more than half of drivers did not know when they were over the drink-drive limit

So don’t take a chance, don’t be a drink-driver… not this Christmas, nor at any other time

For expert advice upon any driving offence contact our motoring department without delay on 01606 592159.