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Original poster

To think drink driving does not mean lose your license?

453 replies

berks · 27/09/2020 12:44

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.

OP posts:
icedaisy · 27/09/2020 12:51

Yup, automatic ban, zero discretion, mandatory.

Not like, for example speeding where exceptional hardship can be argued then up to court to decide.

Elai1978 · 27/09/2020 12:51

Quick google suggests that with that level of alcohol and adding an accident into the mix he’s looking at a 23-28 month ban and community service.

OneofPansPeople · 27/09/2020 12:52

I'm sorry his actions have caused you such distress, what a tit.
Is you driving him to work an option? Lift share?

DizzyPigeon · 27/09/2020 12:52

I can recommend electric bikes.

He crashed his car. While well over the limit.

He deserves everything he gets.

I'm sorry that his selfish behaviour will impact on you so badly, however.

Theimpossiblegirl · 27/09/2020 12:52

Drink driving is attempted murder. Of course he should be banned. If you can't drive you'd better learn quickly.

ShouldWeChangeTheBulb · 27/09/2020 12:53

What on Earth was he thinking? Not just driving over the limit but actually driving drunk. Thank your lucky stars he’s not in prison or dead.

QueenOfPain · 27/09/2020 12:53

“He’s in more trouble at home I assure you”.

I’m sorry, but I really don’t think that’s the case considering he could have killed someone or multiple someone’s.

TW2013 · 27/09/2020 12:53

Bike or rent a room near work? Just hope it isn't imprisonment and be thankful that he is not seriously injured and didn't hurt anyone else.

wonkylegs · 27/09/2020 12:53

He's entirely at fault here and is going to have to find another way to work - lift share (either a friend or one of the online groups), cycling, walking - there will be another way it just won't necessarily be as easy as driving.
I'm sorry it's going to make your family life harder but I have no sympathies for drink drivers. I had a friend killed by one and the impact of that individual's actions cannot be got around in another way they were horrible and final. At least the impact of your husbands stupidness wasn't so ultimate.

historygeek · 27/09/2020 12:54

Minimum sentence is 12 month ban. He may be able to plead hardship and get a place on a course that will cut the ban by a quarter. Not sure if these will be running at the minute though.
It's shit that his stupid decision will affect your life so severely, but the repercussions could have been so much worse. Can you look for work and he be SAHP, or could you drive him to work/ pick him up?

igivein · 27/09/2020 12:54

Sorry, definitely disqualified, that's so far over the limit that there's no chance of mitigation.
He blew 104 at the roadside (the limit's 35, so that's 3 times the limit). They'll use the 57 at the police station as the evidential figure to put before the court, but that's still nearly double the limit.
Be prepared for a hefty fine and lengthy ban ...

Saraban · 27/09/2020 12:54

Take a look at the sentencing guidelines here: this is what the judge or magistrates will be bound by. www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk/offences/magistrates-court/item/excess-alcohol-driveattempt-to-drive-revised-2017/

On the information you’ve given, I would say (a) he will certainly lose his licence for at least 12 months, (b) if he’s been disqualified twice before in the previous 3 years he will lose it for 2 years, (c) Given the level of alcohol in his breath (three times the legal limit) and assuming no prior disqualifications, he will be disqualified for between 2 to 2 and a bit years, and receive a community order.

The disqualification of at least 12 months is mandatory - i.e. there are no mitigating circumstances, it MUST be imposed no matter what the hardship is.

Furbs · 27/09/2020 12:54

I would say he'll lose his license and tbh I do think it's the very least of your worries.

He crashed the car. He endangered people's lives. I wouldn't be all that surprised considering how far over he was if there was not a custodial sentence tagged on also.

I'm not saying that to be mean but I really think you need to start preparing for worst case scenario.

Sunshine1235 · 27/09/2020 12:55

I think at this point all you can do is focus on the fact that no one was killed and be thankful for that and start brain storming your options now

  • you could drive him and pick him up
  • car share with someone else at work?
  • cycling combined with public transport
  • you going back to work and him looking after the kids
  • working from home more
  • budgeting regular taxis
  • move closer to his work

Those are all I can think of at the moment

rottiemum88 · 27/09/2020 12:55

@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.

Yes, he’s going to lose his licence, as he obviously should in these circumstances. Even if he didn’t, no insurance company would touch him with a barge pole so I think you need to come to terms with the fact he’s going to be without a vehicle for quite a long time and paying through the nose to insure one for many more years once he does get his licence back.
Heffersclub · 27/09/2020 12:55

That 3 x the limit. I think he should be jailed, but it’ll be community service, 23-28 months ban and possibly one of the re-education course might take some time off the ban. He’ll also have to prove he’s fit to drive again at the end of the ban.
You’ll either need to drive him to work or get a job.

This could have been far, far worse than you getting a job or driving him around. Selfish pricks like this drinking 3x over the limit and then getting in a car destroy lives every day.

nosswith · 27/09/2020 12:56

OP, others have confirmed he will be banned. You are fortunate given his behaviour that you are not now a widow.

MotherofTerriers · 27/09/2020 12:56

He will lose his licence OP. Perhaps you could drive him to work or he could cycle. Or you get a job and he becomes the stay at home parent. I think there may be drink driver rehabilitation courses which might reduce the length of a ban, as might committing to attending AA (and actually going) in advance of the court hearing to show that he is taking it seriously and won't reoffend

Heffersclub · 27/09/2020 12:57

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

Doesn’t seem that repentant to me - I don’t think he’s realiseA how bad it is to do what he did. That no circumstances would or should get him off a ban. He was really, really lucky to not be facing jail.

Bernardstolemywatch · 27/09/2020 12:57

What?! He deserves to lose his license. He could have hit and killed someone. Someone could have lost their life but you’re worried about a lost license.
Tough tits that he’s the main earner. He knew this when he made his choice to drink drive.

Giganticshark · 27/09/2020 12:57

Then as a sahp you shall have to drive him? One extra responsibility for you, deep joy

LeaveMyDamnJam · 27/09/2020 12:58

His need to work doesn’t trump others right to not get killed because of him.

He is the architect of his own demise.

girlicorne · 27/09/2020 12:58

I need my licence for work, I couldn’t earn without it. Therefore I never drink and drive. We all have a choice, I assume he wasn’t forced at gunpoint. He should quite rightly lose his licence, he’s an idiot and could have killed someone. I m so sorry you and your children will be affected by this and I hope you can find a way to make it ok for you. I d kick the loser out though, not only could he have killed someone he has also now put you and the children at risk of serious hardship.

bethany39 · 27/09/2020 12:58

He was 3 times the limit and crashed his car - sorry but I really doubt they would let him keep his license after that even with "extenuating circumstances" of having to drive to work (otherwise do you think everyone whose work isn't near public transport could just get away with drink driving?!)

I'd think about leaving DP if he'd done this tbh. 3 times over the limit on the evening isn't an accident - he knew he was pissed and still drove. Does he have an alcohol problem?

ChrisPrattsFace · 27/09/2020 12:58

Another person here who’s lost family to drunk drivers.
He fully deserves to lose his license and deal with the consequences.
Sucks doesn’t it.

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