Charlotte
New Member
On 08/12/17 I was given a three year ban for driving whilst over the alcohol limit. I had been at work that day and had been given a bottle of wine as a thank you for my support to service users at work. I am a third year mental health nurse on the PGDip course. I was at home and had no intention of going out. I decided to drink the wine with lemonade and then fell asleep. I was woken up by a call from my son (25yrs old) who told me that he had heard from my daughter who has been missing and I had not seen in over two years. She has mental health issues for some years now and about six weeks ago I had found out that she had been taken into the 136 suite in Bristol. I rang them and they could not give me any information. I did find out that she was transferred to Cygnet hospital in Stevenage. I rang the hospital and asked them to give her my telephone number and tell her I loved her. However, when I rang back she had been discharged and I was given no further information. When my son rang me on the night in question I had just woken up and he told me that my daughter was in Salisbury and said she was cold, hungry and wanted my help. I immediately got in the car to go and see her, I do not know Salisbury that well and had the sat nav on which told me to turn right, I did and found myself in a pedestrianised walkway. There was nobody about as it was late so I parked the car safely and went to get a takeaway for my daughter before I met her. On returning to the car the police approached and I was breathalysed and was over the limit and consequently charged. This was a stressful time for me which impacted on my making a poor decision. My father has also recently had a stroke and two mini strokes, he has also got heart problems and my mother has just had an operation for cancer. I realise the seriousness of my offence and the ban I have been given may cost me a career I am passionate about and limit the support I can give to my parents. Is there anything I can do to reduce the driving ban I have received? I have been offered the drink/drive awareness course which when completed will mean that I can drive again in 2020. However, if I lose my place on my course I will also lose my accommodation, is there anything else I can do?