Car Accidents - Alcohol & Drugs

Statistically, alcohol and drugs are significant factors in road traffic accidents. According to official figures, one in six people killed on the roads died in an accident where at least one driver was over the legal limit. In surveys, one in eight drivers have admitted to driving while they thought they were over the limit.

In 2006 the Department for Trade and Industry estimated that 14,350 casualties occurred when someone was driving while over the limit, which is 35 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath or 80 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. The police have powers under the Road Traffic Act 1988 to require a driver to undertake a breath, blood or urine test if they have reasonable grounds to suspect that a driver has been driving or attempting to drive while over the limit or if they have been involved in an accident. A conviction for drink driving will result in an automatic 12 month ban but may be much longer depending on the circumstances of the case. The courts also have powers to impose prison sentences as well as a range of non-custodial sentences, usually fines for first offenders. Refusal to provide a specimen to a police officer with reasonable cause to require one will also result in an automatic ban of at least 12 months, as well as a range of other sentences, both custodial and non-custodial.

Police officers are specially trained to look for signs for illicit drug use in drivers and will arrest drivers who appear to them to be under the influence of drugs. The police use special tests known as FIT tests (field impairment testing) to assess drivers before deciding whether to arrest them and take them into custody to provide a blood or urine sample. The courts have sentencing powers similar to those in respect of drink drivers for those who are caught driving under the influence of drugs or who refuse to provide a specimen.

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