The UK Government is looking to fall in line with the rest of the EU by reducing the legal blood alcohol limit for drivers. The current limit is 80mg per 100ml of blood which would allow the consumption of roughly a pint and a half of medium strength lager for an average sized man. The proposed limit would bring it down to 50mg per 100ml of blood is less than an average pint or a large glass of wine but would match the legal limit in the European Union.

Sir Peter North remarked that ”Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs still leads to a large number of deaths and serious injuries. The challenge is to see whether changes in the law and its processes can reduce casualties.”

An automatic 12 month driving ban currently faces any driver found over the legal limit but Sir Peter North QC is currently evaluating the case to introduce lower level penalty for anyone above the lower limit such as 6 points on a driving licence. He also hopes new changes could see harsher punishments for anyone found with illegal drugs in their bloodstream.

Transport Secretary Lord Adonis has proved that over 400 people a year are killed as a result of drink driving but this figure does not reflect any incidents where drivers were above the proposed lower limit. He also suggests drug-driving is a key concern for the public.

Sir Peter North QC claimed that ”Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs still leads to a large number of deaths and serious injuries. The challenge is to see whether changes in the law and its processes can reduce casualties”

However this proposal was not welcomed by everyone, Tony Payne, chief executive of the Federation of Licensed Victuallers Associations argued “We will fight this very very strongly,” he said. “This will penalise responsible people because of the behaviour of some idiots.

Thousands of drivers each year are convicted of a drink driving offence but even more are convicted, with lower penalties, of a speeding offence, something that causes many more fatalities each year.

The UK government is facing rising pressure to reduce the legal limit of alcohol consumption when driving. The limit currently stands at 80mg per 100ml of blood which is roughly a pint and a half of medium strength lager for an average sized man. The proposed limit would bring it down to 50mg per 100ml of blood which is little more than half a pint or a large glass of wine which is in line with the European Union limit.

At present, anyone found driving over the legal limit faces an automatic 12 month driving ban but Sir Peter North QC is currently evaluating the case to introduce a less significant penalty for anyone above the lower limit such as 6 points on a driving licence. Changes could also see prosecutions for drivers found with illegal drugs in their bloodstream, regardless of whether it impaired their performance.

According to the Transport Secretary Lord Adonis, over 400 people were killed as a result of drink driving last year however this figure does not reflect any incidents where drivers were above the proposed lower limit. He also suggests drug-driving is a key concern for the public.

Sir Peter North exclaimed that ”Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs still leads to a large number of deaths and serious injuries. The challenge is to see whether changes in the law and its processes can reduce casualties.”

AA President, Edmund King also added “the legal issue is more complex than the limit as a sliding scale of penalties could reduce the deterrent effect. There is a serious problem with drink drive repeat offenders with recent figures suggesting that almost a quarter of drink drivers have served a previous ban.”

But the proposals were condemned by Tony Payne, chief executive of the Federation of Licensed Victuallers Associations. “We will fight this very very strongly,” he said. “This will penalise responsible people because of the behaviour of some idiots.

Thousands of motorists are prosecuted every year for a drink driving offence but the punishments for speeding are far less despite it causing a significantly higher number of deaths each year.

Have you been arrested for DUI in the state of Florida? Do know what to expect after being convicted? Will your license be suspended? Will you be imprisoned, and for how long? Do you want to know more about the laws, penalties, fines and sentencing? Then read on further to learn about basic DUI or the Florida Drunk Driving Laws.

DUI or driving under the influence of alcoholic beverage is considered a crime in all states. It may also include chemical substances or controlled substances. It was noted that Florida has the highest DUI arrest in the nation. With this alarming statistics, it is critical that you understand completely the Florida Drunk Driving Law. It is also important that you know your rights whenever you are arrested in such crime.

First Time Offenders

For first time offenders, the criminal status depends on certain circumstances. Take for example when the offender who violated the law has damaged a civilian or a government property can be charged with misdemeanor of 1st degree.

Offenders may also be imprisoned for not more than six months. If your BAC or blood alcohol content result is 2.0 or higher or if you have been arrested accompanying a minor in the vehicle, imprisonment will increase to up to 9 months.

DUI law also states that you have to pay a fine that will range not less than $250 but will not be more than $500. If the BAC was found out to be 2.0 or you are accompanying a minor in the vehicle, the fine will be not less than $500 but will not be more than $1,000.

Your driver’s license will also be suspended from a minimum of 180 days up to a year. In addition to that, your vehicle will be impounded for 10 days unless the violator’s family has no other means of transportation.

DUI School/Probation: Violators will also be put into a DUI school and must complete 12 hours of sessions until hardship reinstatement can occur. Completion of the DUI School is a must within 90 days or else your license will be cancelled upon your first conviction. A maximum of 1 year probation will be given upon being convicted under the Florida Drunk Driving Laws. A mandatory community service of 50 hours or pay additional $10 per hour of if you do not want to do community service.

Second Time Offenders

Offenders for the second time is almost the same with first time offenders with the exception of having the violator commit serious body injury to other may result in 3rd degree felony. If death of a person will be the result of DUI manslaughter, 1st or 2nd degree felony can be charged to the offender depending on certain circumstances.

Imprisonment for violators would not be more than 9 months. The Florida Drunk Driving Laws also state that a fine of not less than $500 or not more than $1,000 is to be paid and would increased to a $1,000 or more than $2,000 if your BAC was 2.0 or if a minor was present in the vehicle.

Offenders’ vehicle will be impounded for 30 days if the violation was committed within 5 years from the first offense. Your driver’s license will also be suspended for 180 days to 1 year. Revocation of license for a minimum of 5 years will also take effect if the offense was done within 5 years of the first offense.

He or she must also finish 21 hours of DUI School and will be under probation for a year. Community service can also be granted if the offender has no capabilities of paying the DUI fines.

Malcolm Anthony specializes in various criminal and juvenile cases that may include Florida drunk driving laws. He can represent you when you need someone to defend you whenever you are in trouble. Or you may want to try jacksonville beach dui attorney.