Drink-driving has become a serious concern in recent years.
Any form of drunk driving is treated seriously by courts. This can be seen in the severe sentences that may be handed down and the possible consequences for the motorist, passengers, and others involved in an accident.
Practically, being convicted of any type of drink driving offense can lead to any or all of these consequences. It is possible to be sent to jail. It may only be for a short period of time, but it can be deterrent and prevent you from doing it again.
If there are no other people involved and no damage to any third parties, this is usually the case. The sentence will usually reflect the intent to send a message. The jail sentence may be extended if the drunk driving has caused serious injuries or property damage or death to the victim.
If the driver has been convicted in the past of drink-driving offenses, the courts will view the matter harsher and increase or decrease the sentence. A motorist will lose their license for a considerable period of time, often several years. This can have a significant impact on the motorist’s life and on the lives of their family members and anyone who is dependent on them driving a car.
A significant fine is also likely. The amount will depend on the driver’s age and any damage the driver caused. The motorist’s car insurance policy will not cover this fine and the driver will have to pay it out of his own pocket. They will also see their insurance rates rise when they get their license back and will need to pay a significant loading on their car insurance policy.
There is a good chance that the driver will also be sent to alcohol safety awareness programs. If the court feels that the driver’s mental health is not stable enough to warrant sending them to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings or ordering a series of psychiatric testing, they may order the driver to Alcoholics Anonymous.
The current drinking-driving limits are an anachronism. They are established by legislators as a threshold at which it’s safe to drive after having consumed a small amount. The safest amount of alcohol is zero alcohol. People often drink slightly more alcohol than they should and are unaware of this when they drive a car. This issue is best dealt with by not drinking at all, or having someone else drive you.
Keep in mind, however, that regardless of fault, if there is an excessive amount of alcohol in your bloodstream, the police and authorities can prosecute you and convict you.
