Drink Driving, probable outcome

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Mon 14 May 2012 18:10
Drink Driving, probable outcome - Living in regret

Last night I was pulled over by the police as my car came through as having no insurance as it was newly bought and only recently covered by Motor Insurance Bureau, after the police had established that I was indeed insured to drive they proceeded to breathalyse me (as I had admitted to having a drink). I blew a 52 on the initial test and was subsequently taken back to the station, in the station I blew a 61 and as you can probably guess will be appearing in court.

I completely regret taking the decison to drive even though it was in order to prevent my Brother from driving (which is no excuse as it was MY decison).

I am interested in finding out what the probable outcome will be and will offer further details:

I am 19

Have no previous criminal or motoring offences (not so much as a parking ticket!).

I work full time in the service industry which means public transport from my home (9 miles away in a rural area) is near impossible due to the anti-social work times, and infrequent transport times).

My pay is not great enough to warrant a taxi return from work each night.

I am in so much regret over what I have done, I've not been able to eat or sleep since the incident (excuse any grammar or spelling mistakes due to this)!

My real question is what is the sort of sentencing am I facing, I'm well aware there is no answer that can be 100% correct.

Also in the police station despite my nerves when asked whether I would like a solicitor I replied that I would, however I was then breathalysed and taken to a cell for a few hours. Afterwards I was released but the solicitor was not mentioned again and I never spoke or saw one, is this a breach of my rights in any way? (I was also offered a phonecall which I never got, that's not quite as big of a deal to me though)

Quick note the officer also recorded my birth date from my license as 1982 instead of 1992, clutching at straws here but I can't use that in anyway can I?

Please no lectures I am fully aware what I did was stupid and wrong and put lives at risk, I can't think of touching a drink in the near future let alone getting behind the wheel under the influence.

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Mon 14 May 2012 21:13
Drink Driving, probable outcome - Armitage Shanks {p}

http://www.drinkdrivinglaw.co.uk/drink_driving_penalties_punishments.htm

12 month ban, maybe a fine, 6 points and several years of expensive insurance.

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Mon 14 May 2012 22:41
Drink Driving, probable outcome - Avant

Very sorry to hear that - so sad when one single misjudgement can spoil your life. AS is right I'm sure, and I'm sure you won't go to prison. You might get a longer ban, perhaps 18 months rather than 12, depending on the mood of the magistrates.

A small silver lining is that you could perhaps rent a bedsit near to where you work and go home at week-ends: this should cost you less than running a car, and you can enjoy a drink.

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Tue 15 May 2012 00:00
Drink Driving, probable outcome - bathtub tom

>>you could perhaps rent a bedsit near to where you work

Or even buy a push-bike and find somewhere to park it close to a more regular public transport hub (you WILL get cold and wet).

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Tue 15 May 2012 00:21
Drink Driving, probable outcome - bonzo dog

Or even buy a push-bike and find somewhere to park it close to a more regular public transport hub (you WILL get cold and wet).

I'm unsure whether you are talking seriously or in jest (if not, apologies for suggesting it).

But seriously, given short time distances (ie less than 15 miles / 1 hour) why don't more people travel by bike.

I can't due to me doing 30,000 miles pa but I know a handful of people who happily commute by bike

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Tue 15 May 2012 01:28
Drink Driving, probable outcome - Living in regret

Thanks guys for taking the time to reply, but I really am lost in the whole situation I don't know where to go in terms of solicitors (it really would have helped to have spoken to one at the police station... as I asked to)?

Or how could this effect me in later life in terms of having a criminal record?

In terms of the average drink driver was I massively over the limit to a ridicoulas extent or on a lower end of the spectrum?

Well time for another sleepless night, I'm such a fricking idiot!

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Tue 15 May 2012 07:41
Drink Driving, probable outcome - Armitage Shanks {p}

Google for "Drink Driving Limits" - the first 3 results are sponsored link to specialast motoring solicitors. The 3rd one has a freephone number - they won't be cheap and don't come cheap!

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Tue 15 May 2012 11:45
Drink Driving, probable outcome - Cris_on_the_gas

Sorry to hear of your tail. We all make mistakes sometime in life so don't beat your self up unduly. I remember being 19 years old, OK it was some time ago.

You need to present in mitigation the best story you can. You are of previous good character and are working and contributing to society. Saying you realise what you did was stupid and regret it might help.

You need to formulate your ideas and some good legal advise will certainly help. Have you got legal protection with your Insurance company or a policy, if so worth calling that one in.

OK you will get a ban and have to retake driving test, but forget what you have done and concentrate on the future.

All the best

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Tue 15 May 2012 14:13
Drink Driving, probable outcome - thunderbird

Sorry to hear of your tail. We all make mistakes sometime in life so don't beat your self up unduly. I remember being 19 years old, OK it was some time ago.

You need to present in mitigation the best story you can. You are of previous good character and are working and contributing to society. Saying you realise what you did was stupid and regret it might help.

You need to formulate your ideas and some good legal advise will certainly help. Have you got legal protection with your Insurance company or a policy, if so worth calling that one in.

OK you will get a ban and have to retake driving test, but forget what you have done and concentrate on the future.

All the best

I remember being 19 but I was never foolish enough to drink/drive.

You will just have to hope the magistrate you get is not one who dishes out the maximum recomended penalty.

Legal assistance policies are not there to help people get off drink/driving charges, they are there to help when you are the victim.

When you eventually get your licence back insurance is going to be very expensive due to your age/record, that should help remind you of your mistake.

You have been lucky, you did not injure or kill anyone. In that case you would end up serving time.

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Tue 22 May 2012 20:06
Drink Driving, probable outcome - unthrottled

I remember being 19 but I was never foolish enough to drink/drive. You have been lucky, you did not injure or kill anyone. In that case you would end up serving time.

I hope you've never been reckless enough to drive whilst tired. Tiredness impairs judgement and reaction times as effectively as drinking. Funnily enough, society seems to view burning the candle at both ends as a badge of honour, whilst shrilly decrying anyone who makes an equivalent mistake which poses exactly trhe same risks and consequences.

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Thu 24 May 2012 14:26
Drink Driving, probable outcome - Leif

I remember being 19 but I was never foolish enough to drink/drive. You have been lucky, you did not injure or kill anyone. In that case you would end up serving time.

I hope you've never been reckless enough to drive whilst tired. Tiredness impairs judgement and reaction times as effectively as drinking. Funnily enough, society seems to view burning the candle at both ends as a badge of honour, whilst shrilly decrying anyone who makes an equivalent mistake which poses exactly trhe same risks and consequences.

Actually you can be prosecuted for having an accident while too tired to drive. I think the comment you quote is fair. Whilst I wish the OP luck, bear in mind that he was almost twice the legal limit, and in my case that would mean drinking at least 4 pints, which is a lot of alcohol, and reckless. I would be very unsafe, and basically pished. He must have known for sure that he was over the limit. As I say, I wish him luck, but I don't have sympathy. :)

Regarding transport, 9 miles on a bike is no problem. I regularly did 7 miles, including many hills, one about 2 miles long and fairly steep. So, he could get very fit, and save on driving costs for a year or two.

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Tue 15 May 2012 18:58
Drink Driving, probable outcome - IRC

The limit is 35ug in breath. So you are slightly under twice the limit.

'

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Mon 21 May 2012 19:33
Drink Driving, probable outcome - ifithelps

Just under twice the limit isn't so bad - the magistrates will have seen a lot worse.

Mandatory one year ban and a fine of a few hundred is the most likely outcome.

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Thu 24 May 2012 15:38
Drink Driving, probable outcome - hookster66

yup, its likely to be a year and points anbd a small fine with other costs too...

the big hit is going to be the insurance premium once the ban ends....its likely to be seriously huge, go try it now as if it is already summer 2013 and keep your fingers crossed!!

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