Drink and Drug Driving

Around 230 people die in drink-drive crashes every year.

Reference: Department for Transport (2018) Reported road casualties Great Britain, annual report 2017

More than 1,640 fatal and serious crashes each year are linked to drugs (illegal and legal).

Reference: Department for Transport (2018) Reported road casualties Great Britain, annual report 2017

19% of people admit driving under the influence of alcohol.

Reference: RAC (2018) RAC report on motoring

Police can stop and test any driver they suspect is impaired by drink or drugs, and may also test a driver if they are stopped for another offence or involved in a crash.

It’s ILLEGAL in England and Wales to drive with LEGAL drugs (medicines) in your body if it impairs your driving.

Penalties

If you’re found to be over the drink-drive limit, and/or driving while impaired by drugs, you can receive:

• a criminal record
• a maximum penalty of six months in prison
• an unlimited fine
• an automatic driving ban of at least one year (three years if you have been convicted twice in 10 years)

Other problems you may face include:

• an endorsement on your driving licence for 11 years
• an increased insurance premium
• if you drive for work, your employer will see your conviction on your licence
• trouble travelling to countries like the USA

Penalties for causing death whilst driving dangerously under the influence of alcohol or drugs

If a driver kills someone while under the influence of alcohol, they can be charged with causing death by careless driving while under the influence of drink or drugs. The maximum penalty is life imprisonment.

Reference: www.gov.uk/drink-driving-penalties

Reference: www.gov.uk/drug-driving-law