drink driving

[JAKAYGEM]

i have been breath tested by police and had 41 mg of alcohol what will i get

[stoo_pid]

Of those 3,500 driving related deaths approx 560 (or about 15%) are caused by drink-drivers.  Sorry allen, I take your point but I wouldn't say nearly 600 dead people was a few.

And following on from your very point, surely the fact that there are already clearly enough morons each in charge of a fast-moving ton of steel & glass is all the more reason to be angry with people who choose to drink alcohol before driving?

[newtron]

First of all, the details of each individual case does matter.  There is a difference between someone driving after drinking 1 beer and someone driving after drinking 10 beers.  There is a difference between a young person who has made a mistake in judgement and a repeat offender who is obviously not going to learn his lesson.  It is dangerous to look at these issues in such a black and white manner. 

Second of all, I don't know exactly how it works  in the UK, but in the US, the right to legal representation is exactly that -- A RIGHT!  And I, as a citizen am willing to pay taxes so that everybody can have that right even if I believe that person is guilty.  If they do get off on a technicality, that sucks, but that's better than someone being convicted unjustly. 

[Fat Boy]

sorry mate but with 41mg of booze in his system the only 'mistake' of judgement this bloke made was thinking he was above the law

[Oneeyedvic]

Yes, there are a lot of grey areas in all laws - bu tthis is a fact 41mg is 6 mg over the legal limit in this country. There is no hiding from that fact. I do resent paying taxes to suport idiots who think it is okay to drink drive. Legal representation is important I do agree, however, in cases where there is a FACT like the above - ie 6 mg over the legal limit (and by asking what he will get, one presumes he is guilty - if you were not guilty the question would be dfifferent) - I think it is disgusting that someone says he should apply for legal aid.

 

One of the few good Americanisms: If you can't do the time, don't do the crime!

 

I am also curious as to "a young person who will obviously not do this again" -this is a good idea is it?

 

As an example who should be let off: a black 21 year old who dresses in jeans and a tshirt or a 30 year old dressed in a smart suit - who is more likely to commit the offense a second time.

If somone gets caught for a sixth times but just over (say 36mg -less than 2%) is this worse than a person who gets caught once (after 20 years of clean driving, the day after his stag night) but with 50mg?

 

Answers on a postcard please

 

The drink driving limit is there for a reason - if you go over it they should lock you up!

[newtron]

I think we're getting off track here.  I never said this person should not get what ever is coming to him/her.  I understand that the limit is there for a reason and I agree that if you go over the legal limit, you should be punished.  In my original post, I was just making an observation how everybody was so quick to make harsh judgements on someone they don't even know.  One person even said that jakaygem shouldn't be allowed to drive ever again.  This tendency for people to judge other people without knowing their idividual circumstances (there is a psychological term for it, but I forgot what it is) is one of my pet peeves, although I'm sure I do it myself sometimes.  It seems to be a natural human thing to do.  And because we humans do like to judge people we do not know, I think one should at least evaluate the limited data that is available and give the person the benefit of the doubt for the unknowns, such as a personality profile as in this case. 

[georgit79]

What on earth are you going on about, allen? Are you saying it's better to drive half-cut than it is to drive sober? I can see why I disagree with you sometimes when you spout rubbish like that! Sorry but that answer has really wound me up.

[undercovers]

http://www.lawontheweb.co.uk/crimedrinkdriving.htm  see this link, info regarding penalties is at the bottom of the page

[Kay]

Dont drink and drive! You must have seen enough adverts etc. I hope you get whats coming to you.

[JeanLaydon]

The reading stated could have been the next day and NOT straight from the pub.

People dont seem to realise how long it takes for alcohol to leave body. I bet a fair few on here have driven the next day and not given it a thought. Someone I know was still 5mg over at 1pm the next day and had only consumed 3 glasses of wine.