Motorists threatened with ‘lifetime driving ban’ for common offence under new proposals by campaigners
MOTORISTS are threatened with being banned for life from UK roads for a common offence under new proposals by campaigners.
Neil Carney has set up a new Parliament petition calling for any motorist convicted of a drink or drug driving offence to be permanently barred from getting behind the wheel.
He said by revoking offenders driving licences it would double down on a “zero-tolerance” approach to the crime.
Mr Carney warned that anyone who had previously broken drink and drug driving rules posed a “severe threat” to safety.
He said: “Make it law that anyone convicted of drink or drug driving offences to have their driving privileges taken away from them for the rest of their life.
“There is no excuses to get behind the wheel of a car intoxicated either through alcohol or narcotics. There should be zero tolerance.
“We believe that convicted drunk or drugged drivers pose a severe threat to public safety endangering lives.
“This strict measure could serve as a deterrent, discouraging offenders and reinforcing the gravity of the consequences associated with impaired driving.
“By permanently removing their driving privileges, society sends a clear message about the zero-tolerance stance toward reckless behaviour that jeopardises the lives of others.
“This proactive approach aims to create safer roads.”
Over the past decade, convictions for drink and drug driving have risen dramatically, according to figures from the Ministry of Justice.
Between 2014 and 2022, offences rose by 40 per cent with the number of incidents increasing from 41,457 to 58,117.
In order to get an official response from the Government, the poll must collect a minimum of 10,000 signatures.
Should the poll attract 100,000 signatures then it will be considered for debate in Parliament.
Anyone wanting to add their name has until June 15 to take action.
Currently, the penalties for drink and drug driving are dependent on the details of the individual case.
Offenders could be hit with an unlimited fine and a driving ban but this is only temporary.
Depending on the seriousness of the case, the ban can range anywhere from one year to five years.
Drink driving - what the law says
The Road Safety Act 1967 made it an offence to drive a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of over 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood.
You could be imprisoned, banned from driving and face a fine if you’re found guilty of drink-driving.
But the exact punishment each driver is handed depends solely on the decision of the magistrate in court.
This depends on what your breath test result was and if you have previous driving convictions.
Magistrates will then place you in one of the salary-based sentencing “bands” laid out in the court guidelines.
These are designed to make fines fair – so drivers on regular incomes pay less than super-rich celebs
- Fine Band A: 50% of relevant weekly income (between 25 – 75% of relevant weekly income)
- Fine Band B: 100% of relevant weekly income (75 – 125% of relevant weekly income)
- Fine Band C: 150% of relevant weekly income (125 – 175% of relevant weekly income)
- Fine Band D: 250% of relevant weekly income (200 – 300% of relevant weekly income)
- Fine Band E: 400% of relevant weekly income (300 – 500% of relevant weekly income)
- Fine Band F: 600% of relevant weekly income (500 – 700% of relevant weekly income)
Fines are normally based on A to C and depend on how serious your offence is – crashing into others, being heavily over the limit or other mitigating factors can ramp up the severity.
When you commit an offence that is worthy of prison time, bands D-F are also an option.
The maximum fine for being in charge of a vehicle while drunk is capped at £2,500.
Being “in charge” can include attempting to gain entry to the vehicle and failing, having keys to the vehicle, having intention to take control of the vehicle or even “being near the vehicle”.
Falling asleep overnight in the car could also land you in trouble or just sitting in the car having a cigarette.
Once cops actually catch you moving in a car then the fine becomes unlimited with no cap on the salary-based guidelines.
The drink-drive limit differs in the UK depending on whether you are in England, Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland.
Government guidelines state that the limit in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, 35 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath or 107 milligrams per 100 millilitres of urine.
In Scotland the limits are 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, 22 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath or 67 milligrams per 100 millilitres of urine.
According to the government website gov.uk, in some cases motorists could face a custodial sentence, including possible life imprisonment, if someone is killed.
The move comes after drivers who test positive for drink or drugs could face instant roadside bans.
Police chiefs have proposed taking licences away from those clearly over the limit before any court hearing.
Sussex cop Jo Shiner also wants drink and drug killer drivers charged with murder.
It comes after 6,616 motorists were arrested out of 56,000 tested in a nationwide Christmas blitz.
Almost half of the drug swabs taken were positive and one in ten of the breathalyser tests.
