Recently stopped

[stevieg]

Hi!
I was stopped by the police at about 0100 last thusday morning!
As it had been Xmas drinks I had taken 4 x 440 cans of cider starting from 2130 the night before! I stupidly decided to drive as I thought that I was alright, and that the roads would be very quiet!
I failed the initial breath test, so was taken back to the police station where I took another two breath test, getting a result of 43mg, I was then offered a second option, which was their's and they said blood, which the doctor took at about 0300. Then they let me home to await the results, they say in 6 to 8 weeks!
My life is a mess at the moment, not knowing which way it will go but assuming the worst, but still I've not slept since, always worrying about the worst case scenario!
I realise that I have done wrong, and more than happy for me to be punished!
But I've read that I will get a minimum 12 month ban, poss 3 months off as pleading guilty! either way I lose my job!
We live in a village and my wife works about an hours drive away so she is away for a long day!
I drive evenings and weekends for a living, making me available to ferry the kids during the day as required!
If I lose my job the kids will spend twice as much time away from school for doctors/dentist appointments, violin classes/sea cadets/treats etc will have to stop! I coach our local cricket under 11 team, they need the kit and themselves ferrying around the region! And I will probably end up on benefit's, as it took over two years to find this job!
Is there any way they listen to any of this, as banning me from driving, other than losing my job and income is probably going to improve my life, as I'll start using a bike to get about and do the things that I do?
Either way it ends I've learnt my lesson, I'll never drink and drive again!
Steve

 

[Forum Moderator]

Hi!
I was stopped by the police at about 0100 last thusday morning!
As it had been Xmas drinks I had taken 4 x 440 cans of cider starting from 2130 the night before! I stupidly decided to drive as I thought that I was alright, and that the roads would be very quiet!
I failed the initial breath test, so was taken back to the police station where I took another two breath test, getting a result of 43mg, I was then offered a second option, which was their's and they said blood, which the doctor took at about 0300. Then they let me home to await the results, they say in 6 to 8 weeks!
My life is a mess at the moment, not knowing which way it will go but assuming the worst, but still I've not slept since, always worrying about the worst case scenario!
I realise that I have done wrong, and more than happy for me to be punished!
But I've read that I will get a minimum 12 month ban, poss 3 months off as pleading guilty! either way I lose my job!
We live in a village and my wife works about an hours drive away so she is away for a long day!
I drive evenings and weekends for a living, making me available to ferry the kids during the day as required!
If I lose my job the kids will spend twice as much time away from school for doctors/dentist appointments, violin classes/sea cadets/treats etc will have to stop! I coach our local cricket under 11 team, they need the kit and themselves ferrying around the region! And I will probably end up on benefit's, as it took over two years to find this job!
Is there any way they listen to any of this, as banning me from driving, other than losing my job and income is probably going to improve my life, as I'll start using a bike to get about and do the things that I do?
Either way it ends I've learnt my lesson, I'll never drink and drive again!
Steve

Hi Stevieq,

Welcome to the forum. While the courts will listen to your plea Im afraid it will not prevent you from receiving a driving ban, you will receive a driving disqualification of at least 12 months, this is mandatory. This of course can be reduced by up to 25% for completing the Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course. Which means if you receive 12 months, you will get 3 months knocked off your disqualification for completing the course.

You may think this is harsh and it will cause you extreme hardship, but drink driving is a criminal offence and a driving disqualification is a mandatory punishment. Your BAC reading is low at 43mg. You will just have to wait and see what the blood test results are, then take things from there. Good luck, let us know how you get on.

 

[stevieg]

Thanks for getting back!
With it being a mandatory 12 month ban, is there any point in having a soliciter? or even talking to one?? I've seen one on the net stating that they are scotish law specialists and start by saying "don't lose your licence" contact us?? but as you said and I've read, it's probably going to be a nine month ban!!

 

[Forum Moderator]

Thanks for getting back!
With it being a mandatory 12 month ban, is there any point in having a soliciter? or even talking to one?? I've seen one on the net stating that they are scotish law specialists and start by saying "don't lose your licence" contact us?? but as you said and I've read, it's probably going to be a nine month ban!!

Well it entirely depends upon the circumstances and technicalties of each individual case. However, if it is your first offence and you have no defence whatsoever, you intend to plead guilty and you are looking at 12 month ban then hiring a solicitor may not be cost effective. It may be worth talking to one though, even if you dont later decide to hire one to represent you in court.

 

[stevieg]

Well it entirely depends upon the circumstances and technicalties of each individual case. However, if it is your first offence and you have no defence whatsoever, you intend to plead guilty and you are looking at 12 month ban then hiring a solicitor may not be cost effective. It may be worth talking to one though, even if you dont later decide to hire one to represent you in court.

Sorry its took a long time to reply, but the letter I finally received back from the police, stated that I did'nt have enough alcohol in my blood to proceed! So VERY thankfully I'm a free man, but I'm a changed driver now, never will I have a few thinking I'm ok! Best way is not to have any!!
I think what was my saviour was the two hour delay before they could take blood, as the doctor was elsewhere!!!!

It was brilliant having this website to turn too, as it tells the trueth, and makes you realise the serverity of it, as we believe its a bit of nothing when it first happens, but then it sinks in!!!!

And thankfully for me just a very steep learning curve!!

Stevie G

 

[Forum Moderator]

Sorry its took a long time to reply, but the letter I finally received back from the police, stated that I did'nt have enough alcohol in my blood to proceed! So VERY thankfully I'm a free man, but I'm a changed driver now, never will I have a few thinking I'm ok! Best way is not to have any!!
I think what was my saviour was the two hour delay before they could take blood, as the doctor was elsewhere!!!!

It was brilliant having this website to turn too, as it tells the trueth, and makes you realise the serverity of it, as we believe its a bit of nothing when it first happens, but then it sinks in!!!!

And thankfully for me just a very steep learning curve!!

Stevie G

Hi Stevie,

Good to hear that things turned out ok for you. The safest way, like you say, when you are driving, is to have no alcoholic drinks whatsoever. It just is not worth the risk.