Hoot guide to drink driving laws

We know that most young people enjoy letting their hair down with a few drinks every so often but we strongly advise that you keep your cars at home. More and more young drivers seem to be taking the risk and drink driving.

Drink driving laws are put in place to prevent motorists driving under the influence of alcohol. Driving under the influence of alcohol can slow your reactions, impair your vision and judgement and decrease your awareness of other motorists and pedestrians. You are much more likely to cause a road accident which could cause serious injuries to yourself and others with the most severe accidents resulting in fatalities.

Below we have outlined a few of the queries that you may have concerning drink driving and the law.

Breath tests
A uniformed police officer may request a breath test of any person who is:

  • Driving a motor vehicle
  • Attempting to drive
  • In charge of a motor vehicle on the road or in a public place

A uniformed police officer may only request a breath test if they have reason to suspect you of any of the following motoring offences:

  • You have committed or are currently committing a moving traffic offence
  • The vehicle is stationary but the driver/ person in charge of the vehicle has consumed alcohol
  • You were the person driving/ in charge of a motor vehicle when it was involved in an accident

In these instances the police are within their rights to find out whether you are over the legal limit of alcohol prescribed. This currently stands at 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath or 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood.

You will be arrested and escorted to the police station if:

  • You test positive for alcohol consumption over the legal limit
  • You refuse to do a test on request
  • You are not able to give the necessary sample on request

At the police station you will be asked to provide two specimens of breath and the police must rely on the lower reading. If your reading is over the prescribed limit you will be charged with the offence.

It is an offence to fail to supply the requested specimen of breath without a valid excuse such as a medical condition which you must inform the police of at the time of taking the test.

Blood or urine tests
You are not within your rights to request a blood or urine test as standard but you may be asked to give one or both of these as an alternative to a breath test in the following circumstances:

  • There are no breathalysers available or functioning at the time of your arrest
  • The police officer has received medical advice that your condition may be due to drugs
  • The police officer has reason to believe that a breath sample may damage your health

You may also be asked to supply an alternative to a breath specimen if the lower of your two readings is close to the limit i.e. between 40 and 50 micrograms.

Being charged with drink driving
When charged you will to undergo the following procedures:

  • Your charges will be read out to you and you will be cautioned about saying anything that may later be used in evidence
  • You will be asked to sign the charge sheet and then will receive your own copy
  • You will be bailed and given a specific date and time to attend court
  • You may not be allowed to drive home as you may still be under the influence of alcohol
  • You will usually be allowed to drive until your hearing when any ban will come into immediate effect

Drink driving penalties
The following offences and penalties are all relevant to drink driving:

  • Code DR10
  • Driving or attempting to drive with alcohol level above limit
  • 3-11 points
  • up to £5000 fine
  • up to 6 months imprisonment
  • Code DR70
  • Failing to provide specimen for breath test
  • 4 points
  • up to £1000 fine
  • disqualification at the discretion of the court
  • Code DR30
  • Driving or attempting to drive then failing to supply a specimen for analysis
  • 3-11 points
  • up to £5000 fine
  • and/or 6 months imprisonment
  • Code DR40
  • Being in charge of a motor vehicle with excess alcohol
  • 10 points
  • up to £2500 fine
  • up to 3 months imprisonment

Driving ban
If found guilty of driving while under the influence of alcohol above the legal limit then most drivers will automatically loose their licence for two years. Occasionally, a driving ban may be shortened by attending classes designed to make drivers more aware of alcohol abuse and road safety.

Those with bans lasting more than two years can appeal by making a court appearance to claim that they have not committed any further road traffic offences during the time of their ban and there is a good reason for them to return to the roads, such as a new job opportunity.

Cheap car insurance for young drivers
Receiving a penalty for drink driving can raise your car insurance rate. Make sure you leave your car keys at home next time you visit the pub so that you can take advantage of our really cheap car insurance.

Hoot Car Insurance Services specialises in motor insurance for young drivers and because we operate online we cut out the middle men and can afford to offer you great deals on all levels of car insurance.

To find out more about cheap car insurance or to get a free instant quote call us.