To think drink driving does not mean lose your license?

[berks]

Regular poster but name changed.

DH was arrested for drunk driving last night after crashing his car. He blew 104 on the breathalyser then tested 57 at the police station several hours later. He broke his wrist so had to go to hospital before the station.

He's the sole earner in our family- I haven't worked since 2014 since I had our first child- we have 3 DCs (age 6, 3 and 1). If he loses his license he won't be able to get to work which is 15 miles away and not near public transport.

He seems to think that because of this he may be allowed to keep his license. I am desperately clinging to this.

I know what he did is wrong, I know what could have happened so please don't lecture me- he's in more trouble at home I assure you.

I haven't stopped crying all morning. He's such an idiot.

He will probably not be allowed an electric bike - anything motorised, no matter how small, is going to be banned. I hope he's fit as it looks like he's using his legs to cycle.

3x over the limit and a crash bad enough to write off his car, it won't be good.

He will be looking at at a 23 month ban at best with a fine. The aggravating factors of the rtc will be taken into account. The fact he was twice over the limit after attending the hospital is quite concerning.
He could also face a disciplinary at work, depending on his job.
Remember the insurance will not cover your damage as he will have voided the policy by being drunk. This will impact his insurance if he gets his licence back.

I do think there should be zero tolerance for drink driving, it seems mad that there isn’t. There may be needs to be a small, very small limit to account for medications etc but no one needs to drink and drive. One person could have a pint and be absolutely fine to drive but a lot of people wouldn’t and some would be trashed. It’s crazy that the law doesn’t allow for this, or doesn’t seem to.

In fairness I think there are very few people who aren't safe to drive after one pint. I think a law like this would be almost unenforceable, and extremely unpopular. It would also hammer the licensed trade (though would be good for taxi companies I suppose). I also have the sense that the drink drivers who cause the most harm are those that drive while trollied (like the OP's partner) rather than those who tip marginally over/still have booze in their system from the night before. Of course the latter is not okay either but I do think it a significantly lesser offence.

Not read whole thread, Wouldn’t they take your license away the moment you’re arrested FFS? Do they actually let people walk away with their license?

@Theonewiththecandles

He will probably not be allowed an electric bike - anything motorised, no matter how small, is going to be banned. I hope he's fit as it looks like he's using his legs to cycle.

3x over the limit and a crash bad enough to write off his car, it won't be good.

You don’t need a licence to ride an electric bike, well not in GB at least, I think it might be different in NI.

Thanks @FippertyGibbett, very true not everyone has life insurance.
I suppose I was wondering if someone did have life insurance, but caused an accident and their own death due to drink driving if the insurance company would pay out but I guess it depends on the policy.

He will be looking at at a 23 month ban at best with a fine. The aggravating factors of the rtc will be taken into account. The fact he was twice over the limit after attending the hospital is quite concerning.

It's worse than that by my reading of the guidelines. Most likely high-level community order given the significant aggravating factor of a crash.

And is the OP saying she’s got 3 kids, doesn’t work and can’t drive? Bloody hell.

Did he break his wrist before or he got in the car? Also sounds like he has a problem with his drinking. And absolutely he should lose his licence. You and he are very lucky he didn't injure or kill others.

@BlackSwan

And is the OP saying she’s got 3 kids, doesn’t work and can’t drive? Bloody hell.

She can drive and has her own car.

He may lose his job once convicted depending on his contract.

@LizB62A

If he couldn't be arsed to consider the impact on his job and family, why should a court ?!

Very well put!

He will probably not be allowed an electric bike - anything motorised, no matter how small, is going to be banned

you don't need a driving licence to ride an electric bike or standard unmotorised bike. you do still pedal an electric bike and get exercise

Drink driving should carry an automatic lifetime ban. No exceptions.

@thedancingbear Hence why I said at best. The court will take into account the seriousness of the rtc and any previous convictions of a similar nature. The ban could be a lot longer, the fine isn’t capped and he could face a custodial sentence.

In my experience, a 1st offence and no other vehicle involved in the rtc will result in a fine and a 23 month ban. Obviously the attitude test will also be considered.

He should and damn right he should.

He will absolutely lose his license, and so he should. He obviously wasn't that worried about going to work and providing for his family when he got behind the wheel pissed!

I am sorry you are dealing with this OP.

I would find it very hard to remain married to someone who would do what he did. I doubt I could get past the fact that he was willing to risk innocent lives and put his own family in a very difficult situation.

I think drink driving should be a life long ban.

I couldn’t stay married to someone who did this.
He showed how much he thinks of You and the children When he got behind the wheel.

The question about whether he will lose his licence has obviously been answered thoroughly.
But OP, not needing to drive to do his job doesn't mean his job will be safe. I would probably lose my job if I was convicted of drink driving, because it would bring my character in to question, make my employer question my fitness to make decisions, if he works with vulnerable people in any capacity this is even more of an issue.

If he loses his license he won't be able to get to work which is 15 miles away and not near public transport.

He needs to get a bike. As a teenager I cycled 10 miles to work, so I am sure a grown man can manage 15.

Then he’d better hope a drunk driver doesn’t knock him off and kill him.

Yep he’ll lose his licence and damn right he should. What an idiot. I would leave my husband if he did this

@Yesmate

OP I just saw that his car is a write off, coupled with his wrist can one assume that he crashes it last night when he was pissed?

DH was arrested for drunk driving last night after crashing his car

It's literally the second sentence of the OP

I do drive but it will be very difficult as I have two children to drop different places
Looks like you have three children to drop in different places now - assuming he isn't given a prison sentence.