Drink driving: what's the punishment?

One · 20 Oct 2012 at 18:17

One of my Dad's friends got done for it last night, he was just about to drive from a car park back to his home. Police breathalysed him before he got out of the car park. At the station he blew a 55.

How screwed is he? Lost license? Fine? Imprisonment?

He's fully accepting he's done wrong, he just wants to be prepared for what the judge throws at him. Other info: 6 points for previous speeding, but other than that no prior criminal records.

shauncr91 · 20 Oct 2012 at 18:21

Probably a fine, lost license and a ban.

Shame it isn't more tbh.

Edit: http://www.drinkdriving.org/drink_driving_laws.php

Meridian · 20 Oct 2012 at 18:25

55? Six to nine months ban. Possibly a fine of about £200 on top of that.

M

Rybo89 · 20 Oct 2012 at 18:28

Screwed. Fine and hopefully a lengthy ban.

I'm guessing seen as he has admitted it and cooperated, he will get 16-20months and probably get a few months knocked off if he goes to the drink driving courses.

A good friend of mine did this when he went a bit loopy after coming back from Afgan. Think he got 16months then 4 months deducted from that for going on some courses he had to pay for.

Rybo89 · 20 Oct 2012 at 18:29

Meridian said:
55? Six to nine months ban. Possibly a fine of about £200 on top of that.

M

Thought a year was minimum for drink driving?

scottomus0 · 20 Oct 2012 at 18:29

also he has to deal with having drink driving on his licence for the next 12 years!

OpenToSuggestions · 20 Oct 2012 at 18:36

shauncr91 said:
Probably a fine, lost license and a ban.

Shame it isn't more tbh.

Edit: http://www.drinkdriving.org/drink_driving_laws.php

The issue is not with the length of the ban, it is that nothing physically stops anybody driving anyway

.
For example with uninsured drivers, they get caught and get points with a small fine, then carry on driving anyway.

marshallman05 · 20 Oct 2012 at 18:58

Yes. Minimum is 1 year ban although it can be more depending on what the judge see's fit which If it was me, would be life ban.

No need for it. Dispicable. Irresponsible and down right dangerous.

Tican · 20 Oct 2012 at 19:35

18 month ban at least, a fine, excessive insurance for the next 10 years, struggle to hire any cars for the next 5 or so years (maybe longer) and a criminal record, which shows on enhanced CRB checks IIRC.

LeMson · 20 Oct 2012 at 19:37

Fine, points and ban.

One · 20 Oct 2012 at 19:39

scottomus0 said:
also he has to deal with having drink driving on his licence for the next 12 years!

Tican said:
18 month ban at least, a fine, excessive insurance for the next 10 years, struggle to hire any cars for the next 5 or so years (maybe longer) and a criminal record, which shows on enhanced CRB checks IIRC.

Ouch, don't think I'll be the one to pass on this info. Pretty much screwed his life up then. Oopsie.

Tican · 20 Oct 2012 at 19:57

desires said:
Ouch, don't think I'll be the one to pass on this info. Pretty much screwed his life up then. Oopsie.

This is off memory from my brother getting a Drink Drive ban 6 or so years ago.

VTR · 20 Oct 2012 at 20:07

My mate blew 114 and got a 28 month ban and 180 hours community service.

Guidelines are here http://www.drinkdriving.org/drink_driving_sentencing_guidelines.php

Your dads friend would fall under -

Ban : 12-16 month

Fine: Starting Point: 150% of relevant weekly income
Range: 125% - 175% of relevant weekly income

Sui · 20 Oct 2012 at 20:08

If he uses his car to make a living then he's even more of an idiot.

Burnsy2023 · 20 Oct 2012 at 20:12

VTR said:
My mate blew 114 and got a 28 month ban and 180 hours community service.

To put that in context, 114 is a very high reading. The highest I've heard about was around 130, so the sentence reflects quite how much alcohol he was caught with.

BluSky · 20 Oct 2012 at 20:13

Not sure but my dad got a 3 month ban just for speeding (in a 30 limit), I would imagine drink driving carries a ban of at least a year, and it should really be a ban full stop. It is a ridiculously dangerous thing to do

VTR · 20 Oct 2012 at 20:16

Burnsy2023 said:
To put that in context, 114 is a very high reading. The highest I've heard about was around 130, so the sentence reflects quite how much alcohol he was caught with.

Yep just below the threshold for a prison sentence. He was moving the car to the other side of the road out of residents parking when a neighbour called the police and held him there until they came, even though he wasn't driving or in the car when they came he still got done.

Matt82 · 20 Oct 2012 at 20:21

55. So close to the limit but expect a world of hassle. I expect he knew the risks though

VTR · 20 Oct 2012 at 20:31

Matt82 said:
55. So close to the limit but expect a world of hassle. I expect he knew the risks though

They done my father for blowing 40 a few years ago. Time they processed him he blew under and was allowed to drive home.

rexehuk · 20 Oct 2012 at 20:31

I wish this would happen to some people I know who continuously drink drive...

Hopefully it'll knock some sense into him that he shouldn't be doing it!