World Cup Drink Drive Warning!

GUEST POST BY Jonathan Berry

It’s that time again when England’s football fans unite and start to build the hope that it may just be England’s year. Despite everybody knowing we are probably worthy of no more than the quarter finals, we all are advocates of the idea that “you never know, we just may do it!”

Ok, as a football fan myself I know that is unlikely, but we can all dream…

With the World Cup being in the Samba capital of the world, the time difference means that most games will be televised in the evening. This is great news for the pubs and clubs around England who will no doubt be hosting England parties and showing the big games.

This may however also lead to an increase in drink driving convictions with people “chancing it” after a few pints watching the game.

We thought it would be interesting to see how the major EU World Cup participants match up in terms of driving laws and drink driving limits.

England The legal limit is 35µg in breath, 80mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood and 107ml of alcohol in 100ml of urine. This could result in severe penalties which includes a fine, community orders, imprisonment and a mandatory disqualification from driving of at least 12 month. To air on the side of caution it is advised not to drink any alcohol before driving.	V	Spain   The legal limit in Spain is that the level of alcohol in the blood stream is 0.05 per cent or more. This could result in severe penalties which includes a fine, confiscation of your vehicle and imprisonment. After a traffic accident, all road users have to undergo a breath test.
Italy The legal limit in Italy is that the level of alcohol in the blood stream is 0.051 per cent or more. This could result in severe penalties which includes a fine, confiscation of your vehicle and imprisonment. For professional drivers and those who have held their licence less than three years the alcohol limit is ZERO. It is prohibited.	V	Holland   The legal limit in Holland is that the level of alcohol in the blood stream is 0.05 per cent or more. This could result in severe penalties which includes a fine, confiscation of your vehicle and imprisonment. A lower limit of 0.02 per cent applies to new drivers for the first five years. In some cases a blood test will be necessary after a breath test.
France The legal limit in France for general motorists is 50mg. If a person is found to have between 50mg and 80mg of alcohol in their system then they would be liable for a 135 Euro fine to be paid on the spot and 6 points (if French). The person would not be able to drive until their alcohol level drops below 50mg.  If a person is found to have more than 80mg in their system, then the licence would be suspended for up to three years, there would be a fine of up to 4500 Euros and there is a possible custodial sentence of up to two years.	V	Germany   The drink drive level in Germany is 50mg.  If a driver is found by the police to be over the limit then their licence will be confiscated immediately. They would be banned for a minimum of six months. Fines tend to range between $800 -$2000. If the driver is under 21 years old or has been driving for less than two years then the drink drive limit is zero.

As you will see, each country has different laws and penalties for drink driving. We were shocked to see that in France you can even get a fine and points!
UK out of all of the countries have the highest prescribed legal limit. In the other EU countries mentioned, the blood alcohol level is almost half of that of the UK.  For new drivers in Germany, there is a ZERO tolerance rule which has been mooted in England many times.

The moral of the story is to be extra vigilant during the world cup and beware that “just 2 pints” may lead to a criminal conviction and a mandatory 12 month ban.

If you are unfortunately in need to legal advice for drink driving during the world cup, Call us now on Freephone 0800 085 2784 to speak to one of our specialist motoring offence solicitors. It is only once you decide to instruct us that payment will become necessary and we can often arrange instalment plans to assist you.

Finally, for all of the believers, here is England’s potential route to glory:

GROUP D - URUGUAY, ITALY, COSTA RICA, ENGLAND

 June 14 Manaus, 23:00: England v Italy

June 19 Sao Paulo, 20:00: Uruguay v England

June 24 Belo Horizonte, 17:00: Costa Rica v England
 

LAST 16

Match 50 - June 28 Rio de Janeiro, 21:00: Winner C v Runner-up D

Match 52 - June 29 Recife, 21:00: Winner D v Runner-up C

 QUARTER-FINALS

Match 57 - July 4 Fortaleza, 21:00: Winner Match 49 v Winner Match 50

Match 59 - July 5 Salvador, 21:00: Winner Match 51 v Winner Match 52
 

SEMI-FINALS

July 8 Belo Horizonte, 21:00: Winner Match 57 v Winner Match 58

July 9 Sao Paulo, 21:00: Winner Match 59 v Winner Match 60
 

THIRD-PLACE PLAY-OFF

July 12 Brasilia, 21:00


FINAL

July 13 Rio de Janeiro, 20:00