Drink / Drug Driving and the Law
Approximately 1 in 7 deaths on Scottish roads involve drivers who are over the legal limit. The risk of being involved in an accident increases rapidly when alcohol and/or drugs are consumed.
The law
The likelihood of being caught is now greater than ever before. Police will breathalyse any driver who:
- has been stopped for any moving traffic offence (e.g. using a mobile phone, a faulty brake light, not wearing a seatbelt)
- they suspect has been drinking or taking drugs
- has been involved in an accident
Even if you’re under the limit, you can still be charged with impairment through drink or drugs (legal or illegal).
The vehicle forfeiture scheme initially targeted repeat drink drivers and was extended in the summer of 2010 to include individuals caught driving under the influence of drugs. From December 2011, the scheme is being further extended to include first time offenders found to be 3 times the drink drive limit or more and those who refuse to provide a sample for analysis without a reasonable excuse.
The morning after
You can easily still be over the limit the morning after an evening's drinking:
- It can take up to 10 hours to be alcohol free after drinking one bottle of wine.
- It can take up to 13 hours to be alcohol free after drinking four pints of strong lager or ale.
If caught driving over the limit the next morning, you face the same consequences as if you had been caught the night before.
Consequences of drink or drug driving
The amount of drinks or drugs you have taken makes no difference – whether you are just over the limit, or well over the limit, in the eyes of the law you are still a convicted drunk-driver or drug-driver and the consequences are exactly the same. And if caught driving over the limit the next morning, you will face the same consequences as if you had been caught the night before.
Driving or attempting to drive whilst above the limit will result in:
- Loss of licence – an automatic 12 month driving ban
- A risk of being fined up to £5,000
- A criminal record – for a minimum of 20 years
- An offence which stays on your licence for 11 years
- A risk of being imprisoned for up to 6 months
- Risk of losing your car to be crushed or sold
Having a criminal record can really impact on your life, affecting:
- Relationships
- Job prospects
- Travel – e.g. to USA
- Insurance premiums, which can triple
- Hiring a car
- Social standing
Causing death by dangerous driving whilst under the influence of drink and/or drugs will result in a maximum 14-year jail sentence and a minimum 2 year driving ban.
Drink / Drug Driving. Don’t risk it.
