Drink driving

The police can stop you randomly; however, they can not request that you provide a breath sample without good reason to suspect that you have been drinking.

A uniformed officer may request a sample if they have reasonable cause to suspect that you have either:

1. committed a moving motoring offence, i.e. speeding etc;
2. been involved in an accident;
3. or have consumed alcohol.

The legal limit is:

• 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood
• 35mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath
• 107mg of alcohol per 100ml of urine

The police will take two breath readings at the police station.

Of the two breath readings it is the lower reading that is used when considering what action to take. If the reading is 39 or lower you should be released without charge, or cautioned.

If the reading is between 40-50 then you must be offered the option of providing a specimen of either blood or urine. If a blood sample is to be taken it must be taken by a medical professional.

There are certain procedures that have to be followed both at the roadside and in the police station, so contact us and we can advise you if these have been adhered to.

In some circumstances there may be special reasons as to why your licence should not be endorsed. Special reasons are explanations of extenuating circumstances for the offence, and if the Court find that there were special reasons then you may not be disqualified for drink driving.

There are a number of possible drink driving penalities and fines which may be imposed depending on the situation.

Contact us now using our online contact form below to discuss your specific circumstances.