Penalties for drink driving. 28/06/13


Drink driving is serious offence.

Anyone who chooses to drink and drive risks not only their own life, but also the lives of their passengers and other road users.

In 2011 the number of people estimated to have been killed or seriously injured as a result of drink driving was 1,570, which is a 5% increase on the previous year.


Being in charge of a vehicle while above
the legal limit or unfit through drink


May result in:

  • 3 months’ imprisonment
  • up to £2,500 fine
  • a possible driving ban


Driving or attempting to drive while above
the legal limit or unfit through drink


May result in:

  • 6 months’ imprisonment
  • up to £5,000 fine
  • a driving ban for at least 1 year (3 years if convicted twice in 10 years)


Refusing to provide a specimen of breath, blood or urine for analysis


May result in:

  • 6 months’ imprisonment
  • up to £5,000 fine
  • a ban from driving for at least 1 year


Causing death by careless driving when under
the influence of drink


May result in:

  • 14 years’ imprisonment
  • an unlimited fine
  • a ban from driving for at least 2 years
  • an extended driving test before your licence is returned


The High Risk Offenders Scheme


If you are a ‘high risk offender’, your driving licence won’t be returned automatically at the end of a driving ban. You’ll only get your licence back if you pass a medical examination.

You are considered a high risk offender if you:

  • were convicted of 2 drink driving offences within 10 years
  • were driving when you were at 2.5 times or more the legal alcohol limit
  • refused to give the police a sample of breath, blood or urine to test for alcohol
  • refused to allow a sample of your blood to be tested for alcohol (eg if it was taken when you were unconscious)


Other consequences you could face


If you are for drink driving you could also find that:

  • your car insurance costs will increase significantly
  • if you drive for work, your employer will see your conviction on your licence
  • you may have trouble travelling to countries like the USA


How to avoid a drink drive conviction


The best way to avoid a drink drive conviction is to not drink at all. Even small amounts of alcohol can affect your ability to drive safely.

If you want to drink on a night out, arrange for one person to stay sober and do all the driving. Alternatively hire a minibus, a taxi or use public transport instead.



No need to claim on your insurance

Anyone who has been involved in a road accident has the right to choose who repairs their vehicle. If you were responsible for the accident you were involved in, the company that insures your vehicle would normally deal with your accident claim.

However if you were not at-fault for the accident, you can choose to either claim on your own insurance policy or make a claim independently of your insurer. To find out more call 02392 484 244 and we will be happy to help.

We and our partners help thousands of people make independent accident claims. Our service enables motorists to get the help and assistance they need to resolve their accident related issues, with the costs being recovered directly from the at-fault driver on your behalf.

No excess to pay

Unfortunately even if an accident was not your fault, your insurer will almost certainly require you to pay your excess before any repair is started on your car.

This money should of course be recovered by an insurer at a later date, but with our service - you do not have to pay it at all.

By using our independent claims service, you are not making a claim on your insurance policy and so you will have no excess to pay.

Receive a comparable replacement hire vehicle

Not all insurance policies will include a replacement hire-car for you to use if yours is damaged and unroadworthy. In fact it is typically an 'optional extra' on your policy.

Other policies may offer a 'courtesy car' but this is often just a 'basic' saloon or hatchback which may not be suitable for your needs.

Car Call and its partners will provide a comparable replacement vehicle as part of our service. This means we will endeavour to supply a hire-vehicle that similar to your own in terms of its type, make and engine size.

So whether you drive a small hatchback or a prestige sports car, we will look to provide a similar hire-vehicle that suits your needs.

Manufacturer approved vehicle repairs

If you have been involved in a car accident, the last thing you want to have to worry about is the quality of the repairs to your car. We have a UK wide network of partner approved Accident Repair Centres available to all of our customers.

Many of our accident repair centres are have manufacturer approvals for specific brands, so if you require a manufacturer approved repair centre, simply tell your personal claim handler and they will ensure your vehicle goes to an approved repairer.

Want you vehicle repaired by a specific garage? No problem, we can alternatively use a repairer that you specify.

Legal Assistance

Our partner solicitors provide legal assistance as part of our service. They specialise in motor claims related issues, so you can be assured of the best possible advice and assistance.

They issues they can assist you with include:

  • Recovery of the cost of the replacement hire-vehicle
  • Recovery of the cost of uplifting your damaged vehicle
  • Recovery of all repair costs
  • Recovery of the cost of damaged of personal items
  • Seeking financial compensation for an injury