If you are convicted of drink driving... - you'll have a criminal record. - you won't be allowed to drive for a least a year. - you could lose your job. - your lifestyle could change dramatically. - your insurance costs will rocket. - you'll have real trouble hiring a car for the next 10 years.
It will be worse if you kill someone...
| If you are convicted of | The maximum penalty is | | Causing death by careless driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs. | 10 years imprisonment, an unlimited fine and banned for at least 2 years. | | Driving or attempting to drive whilst above the legal limit or unfit through drink | 6 months imprisonment plus a fine of £5000 and banned for at least 12 months (3 years if you've convicted twice in 10 years). | | In charge of a vehicle whilst above the legal limit or unfit through drink. | The maximum penalty is 3 months imprisonment plus a fine of £2500 and a ban. | | Refusing to provide a specimen. | 6 months imprisonment plus a fine of £5000 and banned for at least 12 months. |
You could also become a 'high risk offender'...
- if you refuse to provide a specimen. - if you are convicted at 2.5 times the limit. - if you are convicted twice in 10 years, in which case
you will be banned from driving for a minimum of three years. Then you would have to satisfy an approved doctor that you do not have a drink problem before you got your licence back (and you'd have to pay for the medical).
| 
