DUI Lawyers,,DUI Laws,Penalties

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What is a safe amount to drink and still be under the legal limit?

The simple answer is that there is no way in knowing for sure. There are so many factors that affect the amount someone can drink and still remain under the legal limit. The amount and type of drink consumed as well as age, sex, weight and metabolism all play a part in how well someone can cope with alcohol.

Knowing you are over the limit on the night you are drinking is one thing, but it’s far more difficult to know if you are safe to drive the next day. According to the Department for Transport (DfT), one in five drivers found to be over the limit are caught the morning after they consumed alcohol.

Because the amount of time that alcohol stays in the body will vary from person to person, it’s impossible to know for certain if you are safe to drive the following morning.

The Penalties of Drink Driving

• Driving whilst under the influence of alcohol carries a maximum of 6 months imprisonment, a fine of up to £5,000 and a 12 month driving ban. If you are caught re-offending within 10 years then you could face a mandatory 3 year driving disqualification.

• Causing a death whilst driving under the influence of drink or drugs carries a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment and a minimum 2 year driving ban.

• A drink driving offence will remain on your licence for 11 years

• If you have a drink driving conviction then expect to see a dramatic increase in the amount you pay for your car insurance. Finding competitive car insurance quotes will be difficult. Many car insurance companies will be unwilling to take the risk of insuring a driver with previous drink driving convictions.

The number of cars on British roads is rapidly increasing and as such the chances of a road accident have increased. Many drivers do not realise by exceeding the speed limit and driving without due care, they are putting their own life as well as others in their car and other cars at severe risk.

There are about 1200 driving related deaths on British roads each year as well as a further 20000 serious injuries. This is an alarming number of incidents and one that should urge drivers to pay more attention and care on the roads.

The dangerous driving statistics are alarming but one problem seems to stick out from the rest, speeding. Drivers put their foot down when they think it’s safe but it only takes a split second or a wrong choice to result in a crash. 1 in 3 accidents are speed related with 70% of drivers breaking the speed limit when out driving. It may surprise you to know that by reducing your speed by a mere 1mph, you will reduce the chance of an accident by 5%.

A considerable amount of accidents take place on motorways. Drivers often get tired but want to reach their destination quicker or they speed to achieve the same object. All drivers are urged to take a break regularly to ensure their reactions are sharp and they can think clearly.

A third of motorway collisions are a direct result of driving to close to the next car, however, 40% of drivers still do it. Drink driving is one of the biggest killers of young people aged 17-29 and accounts for a sixth of all deaths on the road.

Around 3,000 people are killed or injured as a direct result of drink driving. If you are found drink driving, the penalty will remain on your license for 11 years and causing death by careless driving under the influence of alcohol carries a maximum jail sentence of 14 years with a minimum of 2 year driving ban.

Consider the implications of dangerous driving before you attempt anything risky on the road. Think of the hurt and pain you cause, not just to your own family, but to those who may have been involved in the same incident. Take care on the roads and drive safely.