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Original poster

DH has been charged

73 replies

charlieblue · 01/05/2009 21:05

For driving over the limit on the way home from work. He is absolutely adamant he only had one pint but to make matters worse the reason they stopped him was that he was using his mobile. Total bloody idiot.

I don't know what to do. He'll lose his licence won't he and then what about his job? I'm torn between being furious and desperately upset - this could ruin everything.

What on earth do we do

OP posts:
onepieceofcremeegg · 01/05/2009 21:09

I think he will lose his licence for a year (but am no expert). This is assuming he hasn't been banned before? Also he will get a fine. Not sure if it will be a bit worse as he was on his mobile at the same time. Is it likely he was being entirely truthful about the one pint?

What job does he do (hopefully not driving?)

In your position I would also be furious and upset. (as he could have had a serious accident and killed/injured innocent parties)

BecauseIveSnuffedIt · 01/05/2009 21:10

He can't have just had a pint though, surely?

And he is a twunt for using his phone.

Sorry, that's not helpful.

Why do you think he will lose his job?

onepieceofcremeegg · 01/05/2009 21:13

I don't know the op or her dh, but wrt to his job I was looking at it from the perspective that he may either drive for a job (e.g. lorry/bus whatever) or his job may be impossible to do without driving. (e.g I work unsocial shifts in a rural area)

I strongly suspect he has had more than one pint.

Sorry, op, not much help.

Original poster
charlieblue · 01/05/2009 21:13

I am really upset. I can't believe he could be so stupid. He is self employed and works away a lot - in theory could continue using public public transport but will limit things. Am totally devastated but sometimes I just think he is thinks nothing applies to him. He hasn't been banned before, only had speeding points like most people.

He has sworn on our DD's life he only had the one as I didn't believe him either. Think he hadn't eaten since breakfast, no idea if that makes a difference or not but it doesn't really matter does it

OP posts:
spicemonster · 01/05/2009 21:18

Have a look here re the sort of sentence he can expect but remember that's two different charges too - driving under the influence and using a mobile @(

www.drinkdrivinglaw.co.uk/drink_driving_penalties_punishments.htm

onepieceofcremeegg · 01/05/2009 21:19

I saw a programme recently about drink driving. The "participants" were all drinking (varying amounts) during the evening, then drove a simulator, and were all breathalysed.

I was very [shocked] at the results. One person iirc had drunk several glasses of red wine and was under the limit. Others had drunk far less and were well over the limit.

It is very hard to predict what is ok and what isn't. Perhaps your dh was "accidentally" served extra strength lager or similar. I guess he could have had 4-5 units on an empty stomach and assumed it was only 2-3 which would have been "safe". If he had then driven almost immediately then he would be over the limit. (I am not condoning what he did btw, just trying to talk it through with you)

Perhaps he had 1.5 pints and rounded it down. Plenty of people I know think that each pint = 1 unit and 3 units are absolutely fine. (I don't agree with that, again just discussing what he might have thought?)

Perhaps he is on medication that slows down his metabolism of alcohol. Or he is just one of those people who don't process it at the so called average rate of one unit per hour.

FiveGoMadInDorset · 01/05/2009 21:20

Alcohol affects people in completely different ways so 1 pint for him (especially if he hadn't eaten all day) may well have put him over.

SomeGuy · 01/05/2009 21:22

post here:

www.pepipoo.com

There are many nuances to be aware of.

Original poster
charlieblue · 01/05/2009 21:26

Thanks for this. I feel I really need to say how angry I am at him about this. I never drink even one if I am driving and don't think he should but he does tend to think that one pint is OK.

OP posts:
ObsidianBlackbirdMcNight · 01/05/2009 21:32

One pint of average lager is 2.2 units so if he drove immediately he would have been over the limit which I believe is 2 units. If he hadn't eaten it might have stayed in his blood for longer - I don't know. Some people also think that they can have one pint per hour, or two hours, or whatever as it metabolises - but it's no way exact. Sorry you are going through this - it must be very stressful.

kylesmyloveheart · 01/05/2009 21:34

i know many people that have 2 or 3 pints and then think its ok to drive. and they get away with it.

where was he drinking - if in the pub would he really have just had one? what was the reading if it was just over 35 then maybe he did but if it was much higher then he must be lying.

the amount of people that say when they get caught 'it was the first time i'd ever done it'. this isn't meant at you OP just in general.

HumpingAnteater · 01/05/2009 21:35

He's stuffed.

How far over the limit was he?.

Probably will get a 12 month ban and a means tested fine. The fact he was using his phone will also go against him.

He could plead guity and any mitigation that could see him not banned. Losss of job may go to that but not likely.

God bus service around your way I hope

He needs to speak to a lawyer specialising in DD cases.

Original poster
charlieblue · 01/05/2009 21:37

His reading was 48 I think which is why I don't believe him. Having said that, it still puts him in the 'lowest' category on the web guidance spice monster. I think he stopped off en route by himself to make some phone calls and had a drink then.

OP posts:
BecauseIveSnuffedIt · 01/05/2009 21:38

If he's self employed, how can he lose his job? Or does his job involve driving?

Greensleeves · 01/05/2009 21:39

I would remove his testicles and stuff them up his arse, personally

he will probably get banned

sorry this has happened to you, I hope he doesn't lose his job

very selfish of him to risk the family's stability for the sake of a beer!

Original poster
charlieblue · 01/05/2009 21:40

He needs to travel but could use trains etc. It would just limit where he could work. He's not home yet and I have no idea how to react when he does arrive.

OP posts:
onepieceofcremeegg · 01/05/2009 21:41

In answer to at least 2 people who have asked why he would lose his job? OP didn't suggest he would, she just asked "what about his job"

If I understand correctly it would just be a lot more inconvenient/time consuming for him to continue with his (self employed) job. He won't be sacking himself!

kylesmyloveheart · 01/05/2009 21:42

hes obviously lying to you as he feels guilty. not sure why he would swear on DD;s like though. maybe he thinks he wont look such an idiot if he only had one pint.

theres not a chance in hell he would have read 48 if he had one pint.

onepieceofcremeegg · 01/05/2009 21:42

xpost with charlieblue.

Is he home?

Original poster
charlieblue · 01/05/2009 21:43

That's right. i might sack him as my DH though

OP posts:
SomeGuy · 01/05/2009 21:44

12 month ban is mandatory for first offence.

chipkid · 01/05/2009 21:47

he will face an automatic ban for 1 year unless he can show special reasons (ie where a person doesn't realise that they had drunk too much-ie drinks spiked, too much sherry trifle without knowing alcohol content etc.)Not likely to aply here. There are no other gorunds to avoid a ban I am afraid.

SomeGuy · 01/05/2009 21:51

Food delays alcohol absorption.

Local pub serves Leffe Blonde (6.5% ABV) A pint of that would put many women over the limit, as well as small men.

onepieceofcremeegg · 01/05/2009 21:53

He may be able to do something like a drink driving awareness course, which (I think) cuts his ban down by a few weeks?

Original poster
charlieblue · 01/05/2009 21:56

Shit shit shit. This is really hitting me now, I'm in tears and he's just rung (while stopped)and he's the same. This is going to seriously mess things up

OP posts: