Drink Driving Solicitors

A newspaper investigation into drink driving has found that more than 32,000 motorists have two or more convictions for the offence, according to the DVLA.

Records, acquired from the DVLA through a Freedom of Information request by the Mirror newspaper, show that some drink drivers have even been charged with the offence as many as 9 times since 2010.

Data indicates that 28,791 drivers were prosecuted twice for driving while over the prescribed limit, with 2,880 having three convictions, and 438 with four convictions.

A total of 18 people have six or more convictions, of which three have seven, and four have eight convictions.

As the law currently stands, the penalty for drink driving is a minimum 12-month ban from the roads, an unlimited fine, and up to six months in prison.

Drink driving is an aggravating factor where death or serious injury is caused by dangerous driving, carrying a maximum sentence of seven years in prison, although the government is currently debating a bill to increase this figure.

The information obtained by the Mirror is as follows:

Number Of Convictions – Motorists Convicted
1 – 386,248
2 – 28,791
3 – 2880
4 – 438
5 – 85
6 – 18
7 – 3
8 – 4

A spokesman for Brake, the road safety charity, has demanded harsher punitive measures for repeat offenders.

“It is truly appalling there are so many repeat offenders. We urge the Government, the police, and the courts to get tougher,” they said.

Following a disqualification for drink driving, most offenders simply need to fill out a form to request the return of their license. High-risk offenders – usually categorised as those who were found to be more than two-and-a-half times the limit – additionally need to pass a medical assessment.

Critics of the current system, including the AA, say that all drink drivers should have to prove they are not addicted to alcohol via a series of blood tests, amongst other measures, before being allowed back behind the wheel.

The Department for Transport has insisted, however, that motorists convicted of drink driving already face “tough” penalties.

About Carl Millar

Carl Millar is a highly respected and experienced drink driving solicitor who is the principal of Millars Solicitors.

Carl has been a specialist in road traffic law for many years and represents clients from all walks of life and all over the Country. He is well known for the dogged defending of his clients and robust cross examination of police officers and exert witnesses.

With a wealth of expertise in motoring law Carl is well placed to provide advice over the phone and deal with all road traffic matters in a calm and professional way.

Getting in contact with Carl and Millars Solicitors is really easy. You can call him FREE on 0800 999 5535 or in an emergency you can call on 07732 054827.

A Lincolnshire teenager has been banned from driving for twelve months after pleading guilty to drink-driving and crashing into a front garden causing “thousands of pounds” worth of damage.

Eighteen-year-old Daniel Emerson’s car was found abandoned on a front lawn, said Jim Clare, prosecuting, after Emerson had been out drinking with friends. He was tracked down to a friend’s house and told police that he had been drinking the previous night.

Emerson initially told officers that he had got a taxi home after being refused entry to a bar, but later changed his statement to say that he had crashed his car and left the scene.

Mr Clare told Boston Magistrates court that damage to the fence would cost “thousands of pounds” to repair, plus an additional £200 in damage to the lawn, however he added that the court could not award compensation which would have to be sought through civil proceedings.

Helen Coney, defending Emerson, said that the sixth-form student could not explain how he came to be in his car after taking a taxi home, nor why he had chosen to drive, adding that it was only through his own admission that there was any suggestion of him driving.

Ms Coney also disputed the repair figures from Mr Clare, stating that repairing the fence would only cost £120.

Magistrates banned Emerson from driving for 12 months, as well as imposing a fine of £81 and ordering costs and charges of £115.

Emerson’s ban may be reduced by 12 weeks if he completes the drink-drivers rehabilitation course.

About Carl Millar

Carl Millar is a highly respected and experienced drink driving solicitor who is the principal of Millars Solicitors.

Carl has been a specialist in road traffic law for many years and represents clients from all walks of life and all over the Country. He is well known for the dogged defending of his clients and robust cross examination of police officers and exert witnesses.

With a wealth of expertise in motoring law Carl is well placed to provide advice over the phone and deal with all road traffic matters in a calm and professional way.

Getting in contact with Carl and Millars Solicitors is really easy. You can call him FREE on 0800 999 5535 or in an emergency you can call on 07732 054827.

The government plans to commit £350,000 to the tendering process for companies to manufacture a new roadside breathalyser which will instantly provide evidence to police that suspected drink drivers are over the limit.

Current roadside tests are not admissible as evidence in court, and so there is a delay between the arrest and being able to obtain proof of driving under the influence. The new technology eliminates the possibility, particularly in borderline cases, of drink drivers “sobering up” just enough to be able to pass the second, evidential test.

As part of a government crackdown on drink driving, Roads Minister Jesse Norman said: “This new technology will enable the police to enforce the alcohol limit more rigorously on those who drive after drinking, putting others at risk.”

Figures from 2016 show that 460,000 people received roadside breathalyser tests, with 59,000 returning positive results or refusing to take the test.

Following the invitation to tender, it is anticipated that the new breathalyser kits will be deployed to police forces nationwide by 2020.

About Carl Millar

Carl Millar is a highly respected and experienced drink driving solicitor who is the principal of Millars Solicitors.

Carl has been a specialist in road traffic law for many years and represents clients from all walks of life and all over the Country. He is well known for the dogged defending of his clients and robust cross examination of police officers and exert witnesses.

With a wealth of expertise in motoring law Carl is well placed to provide advice over the phone and deal with all road traffic matters in a calm and professional way.

Getting in contact with Carl and Millars Solicitors is really easy. You can call him FREE on 0800 999 5535 or in an emergency you can call on 07732 054827.

A 39-year-old man has been banned from driving after being caught drink driving and crashing his new car four times in 100 yards.

The Leicester man was moving his new car to a better parking spot after the seller parked it too far down the road. While attempting to move it 100 yards to nearer his home, at four times the legal limit, he collided with four parked cars.

Prosecuting, Kwok Wan explained: “Police were called at about 6.40pm to a report of a suspected drink driver on Asfordby Street.

“Members of the public had contacted the police saying they were at home when they heard loud bangs.

“When they went outside, they saw a Vauxhall Astra that had collided with four parked vehicles.

“When officers arrived they saw the defendant standing outside his car. They were immediately able to smell alcohol on him.

“They carried out a roadside breath test which was positive at 54 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, the legal limit being 35.

“At the station, further tests were taken with the lowest of the two being 143 microgrammes – more than four times the legal limit.
“It would appear the alcohol was still working its way into his system.”

“He said he had bought the car the day before,” continued Mr Wan.

“The man he bought it from parked it.

“He wanted to park it in a different place, a safe place, 100 yards away. He attempted to do that and hit the parked cars.”

According to Mr Wan, the defendant told police he had drunk three miniature vodkas between 10am and 4pm.

Ahmed Khan, mitigating, told Magistrates in Leicester that the man was the sole carer for his elderly grandmother and mother.

Mr Khan said: “What he has done is very stupid indeed.

“He put himself and others at risk but thankfully no-one was injured.

“He would like to apologise to the court and is full of remorse.”

Alison Chick, Chairman of the Bench, said: “This was very foolish.

“This is very high reading and you would have been sent to prison for 12 weeks, but because you are a carer and of previous good character, I will suspend the sentence for one year.”

The man pleaded guilty to charges of drink driving and, in addition to the suspended 12-week sentence, was banned from driving for three years. He must also undertake 100 hours unpaid work, pay £85 prosecution costs and a victim surcharge of £115.

About Carl Millar

Carl Millar is a highly respected and experienced drink driving solicitor who is the principal of Millars Solicitors.

Carl has been a specialist in road traffic law for many years and represents clients from all walks of life and all over the Country. He is well known for the dogged defending of his clients and robust cross examination of police officers and exert witnesses.

With a wealth of expertise in motoring law Carl is well placed to provide advice over the phone and deal with all road traffic matters in a calm and professional way.

Getting in contact with Carl and Millars Solicitors is really easy. You can call him FREE on 0800 999 5535 or in an emergency you can call on 07732 054827.

A 22-year-old man who went for a night out with “old friends” has been disqualified for 26 months after writing off his car when drink driving on his way home.

The finance worker parked his car at his local station to get the train to Manchester, but on returning on the train with his parents after drinks he decided to drive home rather than get a taxi with them. He said he didn’t want to leave his six-week-old VW Gold there overnight.

Magistrates in Manchester heard that he collided with another vehicle on the A6033 Todmorden Road at around 10pm having drunk five pints of lager.

Prosecuting, David Morgan told the court: “His car ended up horizontal in the road.

“The defendant was unable to provide a breath sample at the scene and was taken into custody, where he provided a sample of 95mcg of alcohol.”

The legal drink driving limit is 35mcg alcohol per 100ml breath.

Lindsay Brown, mitigating, explained: “The defendant had been in Manchester centre with his parents.

“They had driven their vehicles to their local train station and caught the train into Manchester.

“He said he consumed five pints of lager whilst out and came back with his parents to Littleborough station.

“He and his parents went their separate ways and the defendant made the decision to drive his car the short distance home.

“An animal ran into the road and as he swerved to avoid it, the collision occurred.”

A probation service reports stated that the man got “carried away”.

“He recognises an error of judgement and says if the animal didn’t run into the road the accident would have been avoided,” they added.

“He said he didn’t feel drunk at the time of driving.

“The defendant says he was reluctant to leave his vehicle near the station overnight as he had only owned the car for six weeks.

“He said it was a ‘freak decision’.”

JP Tracy Kealy told him: “You are a very lucky man to be standing here and that your parents were not identifying your body in a morgue.

“Hopefully you will never put yourself – or anybody else – in that position again.”

The man pleaded guilty to drink driving and Magistrates banned him from the roads for 26 months, fined him £170, and ordered him to complete 150 hours of unpaid work.

About Carl Millar

Carl Millar is a highly respected and experienced drink driving solicitor who is the principal of Millars Solicitors.

Carl has been a specialist in road traffic law for many years and represents clients from all walks of life and all over the Country. He is well known for the dogged defending of his clients and robust cross examination of police officers and exert witnesses.

With a wealth of expertise in motoring law Carl is well placed to provide advice over the phone and deal with all road traffic matters in a calm and professional way.

Getting in contact with Carl and Millars Solicitors is really easy. You can call him FREE on 0800 999 5535 or in an emergency you can call on 07732 054827.

A 49-year-old woman has appeared at Kirklees Magistrates Court after crashing into a wall while drink driving.

The defendant, who crashed into a wall in Liversedge on June 10, said she had been drinking more to escape her “volatile” husband.

A member of the public reported the woman to police after seeing her swerving across Huddersfield Road just after 11pm.

The court heard that the woman hit a grass verge and collided with a wall before reversing and continuing her journey. She then exited the vehicle and climbed over a wall.

Shortly thereafter police found the driver and arrested her after she failed a roadside breath test.

Alex Bozman, prosecuting, said: “When she was arrested a wine bottle with half a glass of wine still left over was found in the vehicle when it was searched.”

Following her arrest, further tests showed the NHS driver to have 121mcg alcohol per 100ml breath, against the legal drink driving limit of 35mcg.

She told the court that she had been drinking since 4pm and her memories of the accident were very vague.

Aubrey Sampson, mitigating, said that she had not previously had any trouble with the police or the courts, adding “Her relationship with her husband has recently not been very good.”

“He started taking steroids and that led to a change in mood which led to quite a volatile relationship.”

“She found she was drinking far too much and she knew she had a problem.

“On the day in question, an argument started between them. She took her vehicle and drove, and the rest is history.

“Since the offence, they have both realised they have problems in their lives. He has stopped taking steroids and she has not had a drink since.”

Chairwoman Kathryn Beney told her: “This was a very, very high reading and you could have gone to custody.

“You were involved in an accident which could have been much more serious than hitting a wall. I think you’ve realised the seriousness of this offence.”

Magistrates banned the woman from driving for 29 months after she pleaded guilty to drink driving. She was also issued a 12-month community order requiring 10 days rehabilitation, six months alcohol treatment, and 40 hours of unpaid work in addition to paying £85 costs and a victim surcharge of £85.

About Carl Millar

Carl Millar is a highly respected and experienced drink driving solicitor who is the principal of Millars Solicitors.

Carl has been a specialist in road traffic law for many years and represents clients from all walks of life and all over the Country. He is well known for the dogged defending of his clients and robust cross examination of police officers and exert witnesses.

With a wealth of expertise in motoring law Carl is well placed to provide advice over the phone and deal with all road traffic matters in a calm and professional way.

Getting in contact with Carl and Millars Solicitors is really easy. You can call him FREE on 0800 999 5535 or in an emergency you can call on 07732 054827.

A 25-year-old woman who teaches at a Chester college has been banned from the roads for almost two years after she was caught drink driving.

The woman, from Mold, was hoping to extend her contract to full-time at Cheshire College South and West where she currently teaches media part-time.

Given the nature of her work and her conviction, her job may now be at risk, said Mike Pugh, speaking in the woman’s defence.

He continued by explaining that his client suffered from anxiety and depression. Her partner, also employed by the college, outlined her battle with mental illness to the court further.

Justin Espie, prosecuting, told the court how just after midnight on October 17 police indicated for the defendant to pull over by switching on their emergency lights. The woman attempted to park three times, stalled twice, and finally came to a halt on an angle.

On first addressing the police officers she said: “I know I am going to be over.”

Said Mr Espie: “It is as early a guilty indication as you are ever going to get”.

Mr Pugh told the court that his client had no previous convictions and was taking medication for her depression and anxiety however that day had been “a bit of a down day”.

He said that his client had consumed alcohol at home before driving a short distance to a local garage, and Probation Officer Andrew Connah continued to explain that she had in fact gone to get some cigarettes.

He said that she was genuinely remorseful and had good insight into the potential ramifications of her drink driving and had now stopped drinking entirely.

Mr Pugh also highlighted the fact that the defendant was not pulled over due to her manner of driving, rather that her lights were not switched on.

“She is extremely embarrassed to be before the court and is remorseful,” he said.

Mr Connah also told the court that the defendant’s grandmother had recently passed away and that she had been very much like a mother to her. Living in her house, it had a significant impact on her mental health.

He went on to say that the woman had two degrees and suffered from mental health issues since she was a child. She had undertaken various therapies to address them and the college was very supportive of her. She was also very active in the community and in charge of certain charity works including the distribution of fruit to Chester’s homeless.

At the time of her drink driving she felt had not been coping very well and it coincided with a break in her counselling.

Magistrates banned the woman from driving for 22 months as well as fining her £365 and ordering her to pay £85 costs and a £36 surcharge.

About Carl Millar

Carl Millar is a highly respected and experienced drink driving solicitor who is the principal of Millars Solicitors.

Carl has been a specialist in road traffic law for many years and represents clients from all walks of life and all over the Country. He is well known for the dogged defending of his clients and robust cross examination of police officers and exert witnesses.

With a wealth of expertise in motoring law Carl is well placed to provide advice over the phone and deal with all road traffic matters in a calm and professional way.

Getting in contact with Carl and Millars Solicitors is really easy. You can call him FREE on 0800 999 5535 or in an emergency you can call on 07732 054827.

A Lancashire man has been banned from the roads after his latest in a string of drink driving offences.

In this latest incident on February 5, the first being back in 2001, he was found pulled over on a grass verge behind the wheel of his car.

When police officers breathalysed him, the driver was found to have 80mcg alcohol per 100ml breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.

Roger Brown, prosecuting, told the court: “An ambulance was driving along the road and came across the Vauxhall Astra. The car was parked half on the verge [and] the defendant was in the driving seat. The officers who spoke to the defendant described him as crying and there was a smell of alcohol. Neither of the officers made reference to there being drink in the car.”

Mitigating for the defendant, David Lawson explained that at the time of the offence his client was “effectively living in his car”. He had recently lost his mother and had a fall-out with his father – circumstances which had caused him much grief.

Mr Lawson said: “My client has had a traumatic part of his life. He has had problems with alcohol. Clearly, he has previous records. On this occasion, he was not in a good state of mind.”

The driver, who is now in full-time employment, pleaded guilty to drink driving. Magistrates sentenced him to 20 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months, banned him from driving for three years, and imposed a fine of £620 plus a victim surcharge of £115.

About Carl Millar

Carl Millar is a highly respected and experienced drink driving solicitor who is the principal of Millars Solicitors.

Carl has been a specialist in road traffic law for many years and represents clients from all walks of life and all over the Country. He is well known for the dogged defending of his clients and robust cross examination of police officers and exert witnesses.

With a wealth of expertise in motoring law Carl is well placed to provide advice over the phone and deal with all road traffic matters in a calm and professional way.

Getting in contact with Carl and Millars Solicitors is really easy. You can call him FREE on 0800 999 5535 or in an emergency you can call on 07732 054827.

A 69-year-old man has appeared in front of Magistrates in Burnley after being caught drink driving.

The man said he didn’t believe he would be over the limit, having been caught at 11.20am on September 25. He said he was embarrassed to be appearing in caught and sorry for what he had done.

The court heard that he was seen parking in the town centre by a witness who had previously seen him reversing on a cordoned-off car park for a closed-down pub.

Officers attended the scene after the witness contacted them and a breathalyser test on the defendant showed him to have 46cmg alcohol per 100ml breath. The legal drink driving limit is 35mcg.

David Lawson, defending, said that his client was extremely embarrassed by the turn of events.

“He accepts he had been drinking, but he didn’t think it would be over the limit,” he said.

Mr Lawson went on to add that the reason he moved the car from the coned off pub car park to the town centre was that he believed it would be safer there.

Upon being questioned by police, added Mr Lawson, his client cooperated fully.

Mr Lawson went on to say “He apologises through me. He is very remorseful for his actions and he is a man of good character.”

After pleading guilty to drink driving on Manchester Road, Magistrates banned the pensioner from driving for 12 months and fined him £120. He must also pay a £30 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

About Carl Millar

Carl Millar is a highly respected and experienced drink driving solicitor who is the principal of Millars Solicitors.

Carl has been a specialist in road traffic law for many years and represents clients from all walks of life and all over the Country. He is well known for the dogged defending of his clients and robust cross examination of police officers and exert witnesses.

With a wealth of expertise in motoring law Carl is well placed to provide advice over the phone and deal with all road traffic matters in a calm and professional way.

Getting in contact with Carl and Millars Solicitors is really easy. You can call him FREE on 0800 999 5535 or in an emergency you can call on 07732 054827.

A man from Newcastle was pulled over by police because of his broken registration plate and ended up receiving his third drink driving conviction in seven years.

On addressing the man to point out the damage they smelled alcohol and he failed a roadside breath test. He had argued with his girlfriend and decided to drive home.

Rebecca Gibson told the court for the prosecution: “It was around 11.30pm when a police officer noticed the defendant’s Ford Fiesta vehicle travelling in the opposite direction to him.

“The officer noticed that the number plate was broken, so he decided to turn his vehicle around and stop the Ford Fiesta.”

Results of the breath test showed the man to have 61mcg alcohol per 100ml breath where the legal drink driving limit is 35mcg.

Ms Gibson also informed the court that the defendant had previous drink driving convictions from 2011 and 2013 and so faced the minimum three-year ban.

Tony Malia explained in mitigation: “An unfortunate argument arose and it was something that impacted upon his life very substantially at the time.

“He then decided to get out the house.

“There’s no suggestion his driving was impaired in any way, shape or form and he fully co-operated with the police at the roadside.”

The defendant pleaded guilty to drink driving and Magistrates banned him from driving for 36 months. They also imposed a 12-month community order and fines of £400.

About Carl Millar

Carl Millar is a highly respected and experienced drink driving solicitor who is the principal of Millars Solicitors.

Carl has been a specialist in road traffic law for many years and represents clients from all walks of life and all over the Country. He is well known for the dogged defending of his clients and robust cross examination of police officers and exert witnesses.

With a wealth of expertise in motoring law Carl is well placed to provide advice over the phone and deal with all road traffic matters in a calm and professional way.

Getting in contact with Carl and Millars Solicitors is really easy. You can call him FREE on 0800 999 5535 or in an emergency you can call on 07732 054827.