Tougher Rules for Drink Drivers

Drink-drive rules involving the most serious offenders are to be tightened up.

Under new regulations the most dangerous drink drivers will now have to pass a medical before they are allowed back on the roads.

The changes, which were announced last week by Road Safety Minister Stephen Hammond, come into force from 1 June 2013. They will mean that High Risk Offenders will need to pass a medical confirming they are no longer alcohol dependent at the end of their disqualification and before they start driving.

Currently, all High Risk Offenders must pass a medical examination before they can be issued with a driving licence following their disqualification. However, drivers can start driving as soon as they have applied for their driving licence. Evidence suggests that some High Risk Offenders delay their medical in order to continue driving.

The changes also mean that drink drivers who refuse to give permission for a blood sample to be analysed will now be High Risk Offenders. This means that they will only get their licence back following disqualification if they pass the required medical.

Road Safety Minister, Stephen Hammond said:

“Drink drivers are a menace and it is right that we do everything we can to keep the most high risk offenders off the road.

“These changes will tighten up the law on drink driving and will mean that the most dangerous offenders will have to prove they are no longer dependent on alcohol before they are allowed to get back behind the wheel.

“The new measures will also see those drink drivers who obstruct the police by refusing to allow their blood samples to be analysed treated the same as other high risk offenders.”

You can find further information on this topic in our Road Traffic service page. Additionally, one of our experienced team will be happy to speak to you if you contact us directly.