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New drink-driving rules introduced

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Drink drive limits vary greatly - don't get caught out!

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2 May 2013

 

Man picking up car keys after drinking
Drink-driving: tougher penalties for persistent offenders

THE government is toughening up its stance on drink-driving offenders.

New rules will be introduced from 01 June aimed at persistent offenders.

These new drink-drive rules will require those most dangerous offenders to prove they have no alcohol dependency issues before they are allowed to drive again.

In addition, drivers who refuse police blood-test treatment will be treated as high-risk offenders.

Managers of small businesses and SME small fleets should be aware of the changes to ensure compliant company car management.

At present, all high risk offenders are required to pass a medical examination before re-issue of their driving licence following disqualification.

However, drivers can start driving as soon as they have applied for their licence and before they have taken and passed the necessary medical.

From 01 June, this practice will be terminated. Instead the most dangerous drink-drivers will have to pass a medical confirming they are no longer alcohol dependent at the end of their disqualification and before they are allowed to start driving again.

Road Safety Minister Stephen Hammond said: “Drink-drivers are a menace and it is right that we do everything we can to keep the most high risk offenders off the road.”

“These changes will tighten up the law on drink-driving and will mean that the most dangerous offenders will have to prove they are no longer dependent on alcohol before they are allowed to get back behind the wheel.

“The new measures will also see those drink drivers who obstruct the police by refusing to allow their blood samples to be analysed treated the same as other high risk offenders.”

New drink-driving rules

  • Need to pass medical proving no further dependency on alcohol
  • Drink drivers refusing to provide a blood sample to treated as High Risk Offenders
  • All High Risk Offenders must pass medical before getting licence back

IAM director of policy and research Neil Greig added:  “Numbers of repeat offenders are still far too high and the government should urgently consider bringing in a vehicle forfeiture scheme like that in Scotland. This has been a success with the strong sanction of having your car sold acting as a real deterrent. Enhanced Drink drive rehabilitation courses may also be an option.”

Drink-driving remains a real issue – not just for the public at large but for company car management issues too. Last year there were over 50,000 drink-drive convictions, of which 22,000 were classed as high-risk offenders.

Drink-drive offenders can expect a minimum 12 month disqualification period as well as a fine.

The drink-drive rules for Scotland are different

Click here to read New drink-drive limit for Scotland

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Ralph Morton

Ralph Morton

Ralph Morton is an award-winning journalist and the founder of Business Car Manager (now renamed Business Motoring). Ralph writes extensively about the car and van leasing industry as well as wider fleet and company car issues. A former editor of What Car?, Ralph is a vastly experienced writer and editor and has been writing about the automotive sector for over 35 years.

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