Drink Driving and the Law
| If you are convicted of |
The maximum penalty is |
| Causing death or grievous bodily injury, by careless driving while under the influence of drink or drugs |
14 years imprisonment, banned from driving for at least 2 years and required to take an extended driving test. Unlimited fine |
| Driving or attempting to drive whilst unfit through drink or drugs |
6 months imprisonment, or a fine of £5,000 or both. Banned from driving for at least 12 months (3 years if you’re convicted twice in 10 years) |
| Driving or attempting to drive with excess alcohol in blood, breath or urine |
6 months imprisonment, or a fine of £5,000 or both. Banned from driving for at least 12 months (3 years if you’re convicted twice in 10 years) |
| Failing to provide specimen |
6 months imprisonment, or a fine of £5,000 or both. Banned from driving for at least 12 months (3 years if you’re convicted twice in 10 years) |
| In charge of a vehicle whilst over the legal limit or unfit through drink/drugs |
3 months imprisonment or a fine of £2,500 or both and a ban from driving |
| Refusing to provide a specimen of breath, blood or urine for analysis |
6 months imprisonment, plus a fine of £5,000 and banned from driving for at least 12 months. |
The legal alcohol limit for driving in Northern Ireland is 80 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood or 107 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of urine or 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. There is no failsafe guide as to how to stay under the legal alcohol limit or how much you can drink and still drive safely.
It depends on:
- Your Weight, sex, age, metabolism, stress levels
- An empty stomach
- The amount and type of alcohol
Any amount of alcohol affects your ability to drive safely as your reaction times are impaired and you’re unable to judge speed and distances.
The only safe option is not to drink if you plan to drive. Never offer a drink to someone else who is driving.
People who drive at twice the current legal alcohol limit are at least 50 times more likely to be involved in a fatal car crash so don’t be one of them.
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