DRINK DRIVING SENTENCES

Convicted Driver Insurance
Brief Description of Offence:
Had 1 G&T at lunchtime, went to collect my son from school 60 miles away at 5pm - got a message to say he was delayed by 2 hours. Blackout between then and being in my car in a ditch at 7pm. Passerby called police.

Blood Alcohol Level and Reading Type:
Breath 139

Mitigating Factors:
20+ years driving, clean licence, no prior criminal or road convictions.
No damage to persons or property.

Aggravating Factors:
Was on my way to collect my son

Legal Representation at Court?:
Yes specialist drink driving solicitor

Sentence:
Prosecution dropped the charges as my solicitor pointed out that I had vomited just prior to the evidential breath tests according to the custody record.

Offered the Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course?:
N/A

Sentence Comments:
I'm stunned. I've been in a living hell for almost 2 months and even though the prosecution initially asked for an adjournment to review the evidence I never allowed myself to even hope for this. I will not be getting behind the wheel of even a lawn mower after so much as a Babycham ever again. I would strongly recommend getting a specialist lawyer involved every time.
 
Brief Description of Offence:

I had a couple of drinks after work, and thought I was fine to drive. Earlier that day, someone had reversed into my stationary car, and knocked the registration plate off. I had placed it in my window, but was stopped by the policeman as he did not see the plate

Blood Alcohol Level and Reading Type:
Breath 56

Mitigating Factors:
The judge gave credit for 25 years clean driving record, early guilty plea, and being of "good character"

Aggravating Factors:
None stated

Legal Representation at Court?:
No, was offered a duty solicitor, but declined.

Sentence:
12 Months reduced to 9 on completion of DDR course

Offered the Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course?:
Yes

Sentence Comments:

We all looked shocked when we were informed that it would be the District Judge, and not Magistrates that was sitting. However, he was very fair and gave each defendent the chance to speak. He treated us like adults not naughty school children.

The man before me, (we all waited in the court), blew 59 and had a criminal record. So when he got a 12 month ban, I knew that the Judge would really need to take offence to the cut of my jib to give me longer.

In all, getting the minimum sentence was a relief.
 
Brief Description of Offence:

Had an all-nighter, not much sleep, carried on drinking throughout the party. At about 11am I decided I wanted to just go home and get some sleep... Stopped at the garage for some cigs where someone phoned the police and they stopped me as I pulled out of the petrol station.


Blood Alcohol Level and Reading Type:

151mg at the side of the road. Final reading back at the station was 113mg.

Mitigating Factors:

Clean driving licence, no previous convictions, polite and co-operative throughout the whole situation, apologised and pleaded guilty straight away, no body was hurt and no damage to any cars.

Aggravating Factors:

My first breath reading was 151mg at the side of the road which was VERY high and the fact it was just before midday looked terrible! It also didn't help that it was a Saturday and a very busy high street with the market on. I also had 2 packets of cocaine on me, which was not good.

Legal Representation at Court?:

The duty soliciter.

Sentence:


26 month ban, (reduced to 19 with the course) community service for 14 weeks (once a week, 2 hour sessions) which is a drink awareness course, 12 months supervision and £85 court cost fine.

Offered the Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course?:

Yes... And took it.

Sentence Comments:

I was shocked the reading was so high! I just count my lucky stars the whole episode wasn't worse with a reading like that! But, we all make mistakes and just have to learn from it. :)
 
Brief Description of Offence:
Had unknown quantity of wine at friends house, drove home, hit kerb and flipped car, knocked old wall down, ended up upside down in middle of road, had a few knocks and bruises (massive black eye), kept in cell till 10am next day when duty solicitor came, noone else involved, a passerby called police and I went up to them and said I was driver...

Blood Alcohol Level and Reading Type:
lowest back at station was 87 on breath

Mitigating Factors:
26 years clean driving record, was visiting friend with cancer, not intending to drink, emotional evening, driving short distance back (2 miles) – although that not taken into consideration. Had supporting letters from my friend, my boss, another colleague/friend which definately helped, and a letter from myself apologising to the court. Pleased guilty and cooperated from the beginning...

Aggravating Factors:
Crashed car into a boundary wall of private house, knocked it down in 3 places, flipped car over and ended upside down in road... no other vehicles or people present or hurt

Legal Representation at Court?:
Yes, and he was excellent, definately helped a great deal, cost £900

Sentence:
20 month ban, £800 fine, costs £85, £15 surcharge, course costs £170, will reduce ban to 15 months

Offered the Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course?:
yes, and will definately do it, 3 hrs a week for 6 weeks, will reduce ban by 5 months

Sentence Comments:
Thought fine quite high but it could have been up to £5000, ban was ok (lowest end of scale), was expecting 25 months considering the high reading and the crash
 
Brief Description of Offence:
e.g Had a couple of pints, thought it was normal strength lager, but it was export. Had an accident, got arrested etc.

Blood Alcohol Level and Reading Type:
Breath 43 / Blood 103

Mitigating Factors:
Low Reading

Aggravating Factors:
2nd Conviction in 3 Years (1st was 115 Breath) 27 Month Ban
100 Hours Community Service + 1 year probation order
Had an accident with a scooter. (I was on a scooter too)


Legal Representation at Court?:
Yes, local solicitor - Excellent £200.00

Sentence:
36 month ban, £550 fine, £85 costs

Offered the Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course?:
No - I did it last time

Sentence Comments:
I think I got off lightly, could have been 40 months and some
Community Service thrown in - (Hell on Earth !) Fine was low too.
Don't ever think you are ok to drive if you have any alcohol,
it's not worth it !
 
Brief Description of Offence:
Drove car home after works Christmas do, frosty night, slid car into hedge (low speed). No other person or vehicle involved. Police called and arrested me.

Blood Alcohol Level and Reading Type:
Breath 75 at police station.

Mitigating Factors:
Clean license for 16 years. No criminal record. Cooperated fully with police

Aggravating Factors:
Collision with hedge although drink driving was only item on chargesheet

Legal Representation at Court?:
Yes, local solicitor - Excellent £100.00

Sentence:
12 month ban, £200 fine

Offered the Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course?:
Yes-will do and knock three months off

Sentence Comments:
Overall happy as got minimum sentence possible. In Northern Ireland and I think they tend to be easier on the ban length as it is an automatic loss of driving license over here and have to resit the test.
 
Brief Description of Offence:
Decided to ride home after two pints, downed the second before leaving. I thought it was very low alcohol content - turns out it was 6%! While riding home a routine road block was set up - OUTSIDE MY HOUSE. I was parking where I normally do and an officer approached me asking why I had stopped - told him I lived here - he didn't believe me and ordered a breath test.

Blood Alcohol Level and Reading Type:
My Lowest was 67mg

Mitigating Factors:
I was fully co-operative with the police when it took place and am a very competent and intelligent student.

Aggravating Factors:
Speeding around a corner at the time according to a police officer - I did ask them how they came to this conclusion but was threatened with contempt if I interrupted proceedings again.

Legal Representation at Court?:
None

Sentence:
12 Month Ban, £200 Fine, £85 Court Costs, £15 Fine

Offered the Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course?:
Yes, reducing my ban to 9 months at a cost of £175

Sentence Comments:
I think I was quite lucky with what I got - I will definitely not be doing it again.
 
Brief Description of Offence:
Reversing out of private car park, hit stationary behicle, fled scene, reported by bystander, police waiting for me at home, failed breathalyser taken to police station

Blood Alcohol Level and Reading Type:
blew 64ug

Mitigating Factors:
no previous, cooperative, truly an honest mistake

Aggravating Factors:
Small damage

Legal Representation at Court?:
Duty Solicitor

Sentence:
16 month ban, reduced to 12 with course, £325 fine

Offered the Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course?:
Yes

Sentence Comments
Perfectly fair, thought it was going to be a lot worse to be honest
 
Brief Description of Offence:
After being in the pub for a few hours when it was time to go home I had no money left for a taxi so I drove home. Was pulled over initially as my left rear light was out.

Blood Alcohol Level and Reading Type:
blew 101ug

Mitigating Factors:
no previous, cooperative, remorseful

Aggravating Factors:
None

Legal Representation at Court?:
I had a consultation with Duty Solicitor before going into court but not actually in court itself. Luckily I was able to be seen and assessed by a probationary officer who basically acted as my defence in the end, they did a better job than a solicitor I had witnessed in an earlier case to be honest.

Sentence:
24 month ban, reduced to 18 with driving course, 100 hours community service, £85 costs.

Offered the Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course?:
Yes, and accepted.

Sentence Comments
Considering the high reading I couldn't have expected any better. The probation officer was a great help, and am relieved at not having a fine.
 
Brief Description of Offence:
Went for a meal with friends, had a couple of beers and a few glasses of wine. Stopped drinking around 10.30pm knowing that I need to be sober to drive home later, left the restaurant around 1.30am felt fine, was taking my friend home, clipped a pot hole and punctured a tyre stopped to change the tyre, passing police car turned round and came to offer help. Police advised that I had two punctures, I was asked to sit in the back of the police car and provide a breath sample failed with 57ug next thing I know I am in the custody suite on suspicion of drink driving, had to spend the night in the cells as they would interview me until I was 100% sober. Admitted I had driven 9 miles in interview was charged with driving whilst over the prescribed limit and bailed to appear in court a week later.

Blood Alcohol Level and Reading Type:
blew 67ug and 70ug at the station

Mitigating Factors:
No previous, fully cooperative, an honest mistake

Aggravating Factors:
Passenger (who happens to be a Police Officer) but no mention of passenger in court.

Legal Representation at Court?:
Yes

Sentence:
17 month ban, to be reduced by 18 weeks with course, £400 fine, £85 costs, £15 victim surcharge all payable on the day.

Offered the Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course?:
Yes, and will be doing it.

Sentence Comments
I expected the 17 month ban, to be honest the fine was quite a bit lower than I had anticapted considering the starting point for the fine should have been 150% of weeks wage after deductions.
 
Brief Description of Offence:
About 6 shots of vodka, and a few beers previously in the night. Was walking back to friends house when a fight started involving another friend. Ran to the car to get away from danager.

Blood Alcohol Level and Reading Type:
Breath 73ug

Mitigating Factors:
No previous convictions. Getting away from danger from the fight (but they didnt care about this)

Aggravating Factors:
Police accused me of speeding past them (lie), and also didnt stop
immediately when the lights came on (another lie)

Legal Representation at Court?:
No - Legal aid line said I wouldnt need to, and the duty solicitor was no where to be seen.

Sentence:
20 month ban, £100 fine, £85 costs, £15 surcharge

Offered the Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course?:
yes, but need to complete within 1 month.. Cannot afford it with the fine.

Sentence Comments:
The court didnt allow me to explain my version of the events. They didnt ask me for any mitigating factors. 20 months seems a bit much compared to others.
 
Brief Description of Offence:
Rode my 50cc scooter 50 yards up the road and back, my husband called the police.

Blood Alcohol Level and Reading Type:
90ug breath

Mitigating Factors:
Good character, mental health problems, just discharged from hospital (DVLA had just issued a temporary 1 year licence)

Aggravating Factors:
None known

Legal Representation at Court?:
Yes

Sentence:
24 month ban and a £400 penalty

Offered the Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course?:
Yes

Sentence Comments:
When i look at the other posts i feel mine has been harsher than others! however it could have been ALOT worse!
 
Brief Description of Offence:
Designated driver came with a group of friends so we could enjoy a drink. Returned home 6hrs later (same driver). Don't remember getting in the car at all, but drove some point later that evening.

Blood Alcohol Level and Reading Type:
Breath 114ug on second reading

Mitigating Factors:
None - designated driver was not considered mitigating (trying to do the right thing etc). Clean license (no points), and no previous criminal convictions.

Aggravating Factors:
Crashed into another vehicle

Legal Representation at Court?:
Duty solicitor.

Sentence:
28 month ban, 4 months suspended imprisonment, £500 fine, 240 hours community service, 1 years probation order and mandatory 14 week alcohol awareness course which did not reduce the length of the ban

Offered the Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course?:
No - see above

Sentence Comments:
Solicitor indicated that it would be a ban and fine, or ban and community service, but not a combination of both. Was not expecting everything that could be thrown at me being used!


Lesson learnt BIG TIME!
 
Brief Description of Offence:
Got drunk after a work drinks and had planned to ge the train home afterwards. Had been drinking beer and people were buying shots prior to the close. I had my helmet with me as because my office was closed for the weekend. BUT, somewhere between leaving the pub and going for the train I got on the vespa bike and started to drive home. I got about a mile down the road before I came off the bike, nothing serious, no damage to anyone or even me and a few scratches. I parked up the bike and started walking home but someone had seen the incident and called the police who came and found me along the road with my helmet and breathalised me and toook me to the station to be charged. I spend the night in the cell.

Blood Alcohol Level and Reading Type:
96mg of breath

Mitigating Factors:
No previous convictions, clean drivers licence, wife in court and references from both her and a person of respect in the business community which I think did me untold favours in the end result. Also, the fact that I am the sole driver in the family was considered.
Also, the fact that after I came off the bike I parked it up by a building site and did not attempt to resume riding was also considered a positive. Once the police had found me and picked me up I admitted on the spot to what had happened and was fully cooperative both there and at the station.

Aggravating Factors:
Coming off the bike

Legal Representation at Court?:
Yes. I dread to think of what I would be dealing with now had I not had the legal representation that I did. He was excellent, considerate, understanding and diligent. To go through that on my own would have been absolute hell, and I would suggest to anyone else who thinks they dont need one, very unwise.
We requested a Band D fine instead of any community service as the implications of a community order would have had severly negative implications on my job, as I need to travel to the US on business in future.


Sentence:
24 month ban, £1500 fine and costs of £85, plus the £15 victims support chg. I will have to go to the DVLA for a medical when I want to get my licence back, however there has been a bit of confusion with my licence as I have a Rep of Irl drivers licence. So they will have to give that back to me shortly as it is not UK proprty, after the DVLA do their checks. They are not allowed to hold it ( but that is under debate at the moment and for now they do have it - with a view to posting it back to me when they work out the ever changing and complicated international governmental agreements). And technically speaking I can still drive in Ireland, and Europe ( albeit a near impossibility as my conviction would make insurance a next to impossibe ). No re-test though so that will be good.

Offered the Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course?:
Yes, but only getting 3 months off because the 24 mths due to the high reading. I will certainly be doing the course, not just for the purposes of reducing the disqualification but also because I want to ensure that I fully understand the gravity/and potential results of doing something as stupid as drinking and driving and the effects it has one people and the wider community.


Sentence Comments:
I believe that I have got away with a lenient sentance given the reading, coming off the bike and the fact that I was slurring my speech. Had I not had a lawyer, I would have a longer ban, a higher fine and certainly community service for the next 3-6 months at least.
All in all I am very relieved and have learned the most valuable lesson ever. Life is very fragile and the very slightest thing can turn your content and normal life into a broken and living nightmare - be very very careful with the decisions you make.
 
Brief Description of Offence:
Had a few glasses of wine on empty stomach (stupid, I know) and drove to get takeaway. Pulled over by the police and got breath-analysed, blew 47 at road side and then 50 and 48 at the station. Blood samples were taken and was bailed.

Blood Alcohol Level and Reading Type:
88 mg of blood (not breath)

Mitigating Factors:
No previous convictions, clean drivers licence, only slightly over the legal limit.

Aggravating Factors:
None

Legal Representation at Court?:
No, just the duty solicitor as it was a straight forward case and I pleaded guilty at the first opportunity. Took two character references from friends and colleagues. Wrote an apology letter to the magistrate.


Sentence:
12 month ban (9 months if I attend the course), £1000 fine and costs of £85, plus the £15 victims support charge.

Offered the Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course?:
Yes, 3 month off the original disqualification period of 12 months.


Sentence Comments:
None, was expecting similar outcome but the fine was more than I expected.
 
Brief Description of Offence:
Drank bottle of wine and couple of double vodkas on an empty stomach (not eaten all day) and dieting through the week. Celebrating birthday on my own that night, drove for food in early hours of the morning.

Blood Alcohol Level and Reading Type:
Breath 105ug

Mitigating Factors:


Aggravating Factors:
Involved in scene of an accident (not with cars or any other people)
Leaving the scene of an accident
Refusing to co-operate

Legal Representation at Court?:
Yes

Sentence:
£85 Court Cost
24 Months Disqualification (decreased by 6 months to 18 months with rehab course)
180 hours community service (decreased by 1/3 to 120 hours due to first time offence and pleading guilty)

Offered the Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course?:
Yes - intend to complete the course

Sentence Comments:
Probation recommended against any CS and recommended a high fine instead by magistrates refused, which I respect. It has been the worst time of my life and lost my job, car, insurance, license etc. I am thankful I didn't hurt anybody with my actions. My sentence feels adequate, though I don't believe alcohol rehab OR community service serves what it is meant to. Having observed both I feel they neither teach nor rehab any offender, the offenders are quite abusive and stuck in a cycle and not willing to "rehabilitate". All a massive money/political con to show something is being done without achieving anything.
 
Brief Description of Offence:
Had been dring from 8.30 to about 10.30 around 3 1/2 pints, stopped near my home, taken to police station blew 41 in breath then for blood about 15 mins after.

Blood Alcohol Level and Reading Type:
Breath 41 blood 89 (police station) Indenpendatly 87 in blood cost £120

Mitigating Factors:
Only drove home as my wife rang to say my son was ill panicked and drove.

Aggravating Factors:
Previous offence drink and drive 13years ago and currently 6 points

Legal Representation at Court?:
None

Sentence:
12 month ban, reduce by 3mths with the course £400 fine plus costs.

Offered the Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course?:
Yes, taken.


Sentence Comments:
I did expect longer ban than 12 because of previous offence however that was time spent and they do not take speeding pts in matter just what I did that day! Lucky escape!
 
HTML:
if you get a sentence and loose your licence for a period is period taken whilst you serve your prison sentence.
 
Brief Description of Offence:
Driving home after a heavy night out. Police were at a nearby express supermarket attending to another incident as I drove past. I overtook a cyclist and crashed into a parked vehicle, deemed to be a total loss and worth £13,000... I'm disputing this as my insurance company (admiral) won't cover me but thats another story.

Blood Alcohol Level and Reading Type:
86 at the roadside.. 92 at the station

Mitigating Factors:
No previous convictions/ offences

Aggravating Factors:
Crashing into a parked vehicle, High reading, writing off 2 vehicles

Legal Representation at Court?:
Yes, £300

Sentence:
23 month ban (reduced by 175 days with TTC driving course,) 12 month supervision order, 14 week DDS drink driving awareness course, no fine (I cant afford one) £85 court costs £15 victims surcharge

Offered the Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course?:
Yes and will take, costs £155

Sentence Comments:
I think I came off well compared to other people Ive read blowing the same and being involved in a collision. I'm fairly happy anyway and my solicitor said if I have good attendance on my supervision order it wont last 12 months. Going to be a tough 18 months ahead though


 
Brief Description of Offence:
Driving home after a few drinks in the bar after meeting friends. Didnt have head lights on when i got pulled over and a police car passing spotted this and pulled me over. Blew road side 87 then 99 in the police station. Spent roughly 5 hours in the cells.
Blood Alcohol Level and Reading Type:
87 at the roadside.. 99 at the station

Mitigating Factors:
No previous convictions/ offences, no crash/ accident, full clean license.

Aggravating Factors:
2 passengers in the car, no head lights. Only headlights got mentioned in court

Legal Representation at Court?:
Yes, £250

Sentence:
24 month ban (reduced by 6 month after driving rehab course,) 12 month supervision order which told would end after 3/4 month providing i show up and show good character and because im in full time employment and have been with the same company for over 6 years, no fine giving, £80 court costs £65 victims surcharge.

Offered the Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course?:
Yes and will take

Sentence Comments:
I think I came off well compared to other people Ive read blowing the same. I'm fairly happy anyway and my solicitor said if I have good attendance on my supervision order it wont last 12 months. Going to be a tough 18 months ahead though, really pleased about fine and costs was expecting near £600 at least because of my wage.

P.S think before you do it, i know i will in future.
 
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