Drinking Age

Ed Philips asked:


There are ways to recognize people who have alcohol problems. If you are concerned about your drinking habits or those of someone close to you, here are a few ways to determine if alcohol is indeed a problem:

If you are a woman who has more than seven drinks a week or more than three drinks at a party, bar or celebration, you may be drinking too much.

The same is true for a man who has more than 14 drinks a week or more than four drinks at a party, bar or celebration. For those over 65, more than seven drinks a week or three drinks per occasion could mean you are drinking too much.

Think that you or a loved one or friend may be in the drinking heavily category?

If you are a woman who is drinking more than three drinks every day or 21 drinks per week, the answer is, “yes.” Men who consume more than five drinks a day or thirty-five a week also fit into the drinking heavily category.

Maybe you are concerned about the risks you or someone who is close to you is taking when you drink. Those who drink and drive are taking risks with the consumption of alcohol.

If you operate heavy machinery or mix alcohol with medications, either over-the-counter or prescription medicines, you are putting yourself and others at risk.

When you don’t tell your pharmacist, doctor, or surgeon that you are a regular drinker, you are taking risks with alcohol. Did you know that even small amounts of alcohol can be dangerous for an unborn child?

If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, you are taking risks every time you drink and even if you are not putting yourself at risk, you are putting your baby in a precarious and dangerous situation.

Drinking has become a habit when you or a loved one uses alcohol to relieve anxiety, relax or to get to sleep. The use of alcohol has become a habit if you consistently drink so that you will feel more comfortable in social situations.

When drinking is used as a way to avoid thinking about unpleasant or sad situations, it may have become a habit. The same is true if you spend quite a bit of time socializing with other drinkers.

There may come a time when the consumption of alcohol begins to take over your life. One sign that this is happening is if you worry about having enough alcohol for the evening or the weekend.

If you hide alcohol or purchase it at various stores so that people won’t know how much alcohol you are consuming you may have reached the point of having alcohol take over your life.

When you are at a social gathering do you try to avoid letting others know how much alcohol you are drinking? Do you attempt to get extra drinks and hope that others will not see you doing it?

If you fit into any of the above categories, it may be time to talk to a doctor or other professional about your alcohol consumption.

There are also self-help and support groups that can offer assistance. Do not feel that you are alone or that you can not stop drinking. The misuse of alcohol can lead to ruined health, the end of relationships and other serious consequences for you and for others.



Billy

Thomas Pretty asked:


As Romania becomes an increasingly popular destination for tourists who want to see the beauty of Transylvania, the wonderful medieval architecture and the many quaint towns and villages, car hire becoming an evermore logical option for travellers. Known as the crossroads of Central Europe, Romania has a long history of seeing travellers pass through its borders and hinterland. If you decide to hire a car however there are certain aspects of driving in Romania that you should be aware of to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable trip.

The first issue to discuss when you are going to hire a car in Romania are the speed limits on the various roads. In the cities there is a general speed limit of 31 mph whilst in rural areas this is increased to 55m mph. In terms of the highways and special roads the limit is around 80 mph. However, these limits are subject to change so it worth keeping your eyes open for road signs. In addition there are variances depending on what type of car you are driving, your car hire company should be able to advise you thoroughly before you head off however.

If you are travelling with your children in the hire car, unlike much of Europe it is not essential to have a child seat for them. Despite this however, child safety is taken seriously, children are not allowed to sit in the front and safety belts must be worn at all times when driving outside of urban areas. If you fail to adhere to these rules there is a chance that local police will issue you with a ticket. It is vital that if a fine issued that you ensue the officer has identification and can provide you with an official ticket; there have been cases in the past of officers and even members of the public charging visitors so be careful to find out exactly who is giving you the fine; officials will not actually ask for the fee there and then, all payments are made at police stations rather than on the roadside.

In Romania the cars drive on the right and you must always give the right of way to those entering roundabouts. If you would like to overtake this is predominantly done on the left except if overtaking a tram (common in built up areas), when you can overtake on the right. Care must be taken whenever driving in Romania, apart from you hire car their will be many diverse forms of transport on the roads, the horse and cart is still used extensively, especially in rural areas. Accidents are common with horse drawn vehicles so having your wits about you at all times is essential.

Drink driving is strictly prohibited in Romania, something that your car hire company should make you acutely aware of. Unlike much of Europe the Romanian officials operate a zero tolerance policy on drink driving and as such even if you only have one drink you will be deemed unsuitable to drive. In addition to this, many will advise that driving at night is worth avoiding. This is mainly due to the large number of horse drawn carts on the roads that do not have lights.

By following this advice your Romanian driving holiday should be a complete success. Ultimately, when you have acquired your hire car it is essential to be careful at all times. Driving in Romania is usually safe but it is not like driving in Western Europe, there are considerable issues you should be constantly aware of. If you drive with a sense of care, your trip around Romania should be both enjoyable and safe.



Bradley

Michael Lyon asked:


The Charge: on *** 2008 on a road or other public place, namely the Kingston Bridge, M8 Motorway, Glasgow you *** did drive a motor vehicle, namely motor car registered *** after consuming so much alcohol that the proportion of it in your breath was 86 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath which exceeded the prescribed limit, namely 35 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath;

CONTRARY to the Road Traffic Act 1988, Section 5(1)(a)

The Brief: Michael Lyon Solicitors were instructed to defend the case as recognised specialist road traffic lawyers in Scotland.

The Evidence: The Police statements detailed a sequence of events that confirmed the correct procedures had been followed. From initial arrest to subsequent caution and charge, there was nothing exceptional. The intoximeter forms confirmed the terms of the statements.

The Outcome: The case proceeded to trial at Glasgow District Court in October 2008 and our client was found not guilty of drink driving. A submission of no case to answer was upheld. We are not willing to disclose the basis of our defence although can confirm we have had success in various Courts in Scotland with the same point.

“I contacted Michael Lyon Solicitors through a media friend who Michael had defended a number of years ago. I really didn’t hold out much hope as I felt that I would simply have to accept the inevitable. I was aware the allegation of drink driving was serious and was probably only looking for a bit of damage limitation.



After six months of various Court hearings, the case finally proceeded to trial. Michael had discussed with me a technical defence in relation to drink driving cases and we decided to proceed on that basis.



To my utter delight, I was found not guilty of the charge.



Words cannot express my sincere gratitude for saving my licence and livelihood. For anybody out there looking for a specialist road traffic lawyer in Scotland I would urge you to contact Michael Lyon Solicitors. Having had the pleasure of seeing Michael in action, I can only say that I was, and remain to be, amazed by his level of expertise. The guy is, quite simply, The Road Traffic Lawyer in Scotland.”

We were delighted with the outcome of the case and wish to thank our client for his kind words and support.

Michael Lyon Solicitors Limited exclusively practices road traffic law and defends all types of motoring offences throughout Scotland. All Solicitors within the Firm have an expert knowledge of road traffic law in Scotland with a particular focus drawn on speeding, dangerous driving and drink driving allegations in Scotland.

Specialist legal representation provided in all Courts for motoring offences in Scotland including Glasgow, Paisley, Dumfries, Perth, Aberdeen, Invernesss and Kilmarnock.

W: http://www.theroadtrafficlawyer.com

E: ml@theroadtrafficlawyer.com

A: Michael Lyon Solicitors Limited, 272 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 4JR

T: 0141-550-1074

M: 07903-818-719 (Urgent cases only)



Kyle

David Collins asked:


With fly-drive holidays still as popular as ever, thousands of us take to the continent each year – whether in our own cars or through a hire company.

The idea of taking your own vehicle on holiday seems a tempting idea – particularly if you’re looking to travel to Europe. And with the option of taking the ferry or the train to the continent, travelling by car is a popular choice for many holidaymakers.

And why not? You’re used to the feeling of driving your own vehicle, knowing how it responds to certain situations, as well as having a rough idea of the fuel consumption.

But be careful, for it is important to get your car insurance sorted before you embark on such a trip. Many holidaymakers find themselves facing difficulties in the event of an accident abroad – due mainly to the fact that their policy wouldn’t cover them during their holiday.

It is useful to obtain an International Motor Insurance Certificate – also known as a Green Card - before you travel. But it is important to sort out your car insurance before taking your vehicle abroad, as well as taking time to research practices and regulations for the countries you intend to visit.

For example, not carrying a red warning triangle in your car is illegal in some countries, and each will have its own set of rules and penalties with regards to drink driving. Be sure to carry personal identification, such as a passport, with you during your trip and carry it with you at all times – also ensure that you have your insurance certificate and vehicle registration documents on hand should anything happen.

It’s always best to do a little research before embarking on a trip and plan your journey as far in advance as possible in order to help prepare you should anything happen.

It is also essential to carry out some basic car maintenance before your journey, ensuring that your oil and water is topped up and that your brakes and tyres are in a suitable condition for the journey.

Most insurers will charge an extra premium to allow you to take your vehicle overseas, whilst some have limits as to which countries you can drive in. But with a wide variety of cheap car insurance available, it’s best to consider your options before you travel – ensuring that you take out a policy that is fully comprehensive, while some will offer a repatriation service for a small fee – allowing for the vehicle to receive repairs back home in the UK.

If your current policy doesn’t offer cover for driving overseas, consider searching for a car insurance quote that offers overseas cover at no extra cost.



Dennis

Michael Challiner asked:


If you are caught drinking and driving you will get a Driving Under the Influence conviction (DUI). A DUI will affect your car insurance which any people are unaware of. Initially your premiums will probably increase substantially and later your policy may well be cancelled when it expires. If you don’t have insurance when you are convicted you will struggle to get any cover in the future.

There are more affects of this conviction one of which is the SR-22 which will be explained and there are some tips offered that may help secure car insurance after a DUI.

An SR-22 – what it is.



If you are caught and convicted of a DUI you will be required to file an SR-22 which is simply a statement that proves you have suitable insurance cover. Once this is filed any suspended driving licenses are given back.

It is a legal requirement in most areas that drivers with a DUI conviction report this with an SR-22 to their local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)

There are policies offered from some insurers with high premiums for SR-22(‘high risk’) drivers but some will not insure them at all and immediately cancel policies when they expire.

Staying Below the Radar.

There seems to be a lack of communication between some court systems and some DMV’s. All DUI’s should be reported to the DMV within the jurisdiction of the court

involved but, this does not always happen meaning a driver might avoid filing an SR-22 and ‘slip through the net’. In this situation the insurers may be oblivious to the offence. It can happen a lot but if the insurers find out, even years later, they will increase premiums.

Re-insure whilst still Insured.



It can be easier to get insured if you have a DUI conviction if you are already insured. Many people wait for their insurance to finish before shopping around to replace it. If your policy is being cancelled by your insurer you can assume that they know about the conviction, in which case you should assume others may well also find out. So look before your current policy runs out and shop around smaller, independent brokers as well as the larger ones.

Forward Planning.



A DUI conviction is not what anyone wants on their record but neither is it the end of the world. It will, inevitably, affect your ability to get insurance and cost you more in premiums - perhaps a small price to pay. You will have to shop around more than normal and will find that you will be offered far less policies than previously because of your ‘high risk’ label. Driving without cover is just not an option and could lead to prison sentences, weighty penalties and greater costs.

A conviction of this kind will stay on your record for 10 years but car insurance companies are likely to use it against your premiums for around 3 years, some are less. You need to optimise what is available and how you can help yourself so that you can move on.



Virginia

Martin Hammond asked:


The highest number of drink driving incidents occurs at Christmas time.  While the safest option is to have ‘none for the road’ many people can be caught out by having just a few drinks or driving the morning after a night of heavy drinking. Even though you may feel under the legal limit, your blood alcohol level could still be over.

Many people have heard stories of what you should do or say if you are stopped by the police but often these can actually make the situation worse. If you do find yourself in the situation of being stopped on suspicion of drink driving then follow these 10 drink driving dos and don’ts.

Don’t

Do not place pennies under your tongue when undergoing a breath test. It will have no effect on the reading and make you look dishonest in court.

Do

Answer the officer’s questions honestly and accurately. Some of the questions the officer will ask you are for your benefit. If the officer asks if you have had an alcoholic drink over the past twenty minutes he/she is actually telling you that he will have to wait for twenty minutes before he carries out a test. This is because an officer has to wait until any residual traces of that alcohol which could affect the machine are gone. The same goes for any consumption such as food, smoking or using inhalers etc.

Don’t

Be obstructive. The officers are only doing their job which they will carry on with regardless of a person’s attitude. Most officers will try their best to make the process a smooth one for you but they also have the means to make it uncomfortable.

Do

Tell the officer about any medication you are currently taking. Even if the officer believes it will have no bearing on the case it is crucial to the later stages of a case that you raise the issue.

Don’t

Refuse a blood or urine sample. If the reading is 50mgs or below the officer will offer you blood or urine to confirm the reading you have given. People should always take this option unless they are physically or mentally unable as it will result in a more accurate reading. You are allowed this option as the machines reading may not be 100% accurate and therefore anyone who refuses to have the reading replaced with a more accurate one is wasting a valuable opportunity.

Do

Accept a sample of blood or urine that you have provided, if one is offered to you. There are often discrepancies between two samples taken at the same time and this could be used to your advantage.

Don’t

Listen to an officer who tells you that the option of replacing a breath sample of blood or urine is just a waste of time. It is not and if an officer does attempt to dissuade you in any way you may have a defence to an excess alcohol charge, for this reason alone. Most officers would not give you any information about this decision but occasionally they will give you advice, often believing they are simply helping you.

Do

Tell the officer if you have any breathing problems. If you have attempted unsuccessfully to provide a sample of breath you will be charged with failure to provide a specimen of breath. If you tell the officer of any breathing difficulties you have then you will most likely be offered a chance to provide blood or urine.

Don’t

Refuse your right to have a solicitor. Not all solicitors will be excess alcohol specialists but most can answer questions as to whether you should provide a specimen if for example you were not the driver and they will be able to help you should the police wish to interview you.

Do

Give correct details to the police. People who give false details are nearly always found out and you will not come across well in court having told lies. Furthermore you may face fresh charges even if you are found to be under the drink drive limits.

Don’t

Refuse to provide a breath specimen without a very good reason. People who do not attempt to provide breath samples have very few defences to charges such as failing to provide a specimen. Often people charged with this offence can end up with even harsher sentences as the Court do not know whether you had one drink or twenty.

Do

Seek representation for Court appearances. Even if your case is not defendable having good representation at court can mean the difference between a fine or community punishment. It could also mean the difference between community punishment and custody.

Don’t

Attempt to blow around the tube. Intoxilyser machines are very accurate and know if there is not enough breath being provided. You will not beat the machine you will simply fail to provide a specimen.

Do

Keep an accurate record of everything that was done and said at the police station and of any driving incident. Although you think you remember what happened you will do a far better job if you put it all down on paper at the first opportunity.

Don’t

Attempt to drive just because you feel fit to drive. Any good website relating to alcohol offences will be able to tell you how much you can legally drink. The worst judge of sobriety is a person who has had a few drinks.

Do

Avoid sitting in a vehicle whilst intoxicated even if you have no intention to drive and stay out of the driver’s seat in particular. On officer is well within his or her rights to arrest you for being drunk in charge of a motor vehicle and it will be up to you to prove that you had no intention of driving further. This may be difficult and expensive to do.

Don’t

Assume that you can drive on car parks and industrial sites when intoxicated because they are “private land”. In actual fact if the public have access then you are just as likely to be prosecuted for driving in these places as you would be on a public road.

Do

Stay at the scene of any accident even if you are intoxicated. Whilst excess alcohol offences are very serious you will find yourself in far greater trouble if you leave the scene of an accident or fail to report an accident. You are under an obligation to report an accident even if it is just road furniture such as a traffic sign or lamppost. Believe it or not you even have a duty to report and accident if you simply hit a tree.

Don’t

Take legal advice from police officers or friends. Whilst most people will give you advice in an attempt to help you, try to only take notice of advice provided by solicitors or the Court. Again, most pieces of advice you will hear are not attempted to lead you astray but they are not always entirely accurate and they can sometimes leave you in a weakened position.

Do

Respect any disqualification you receive. Whilst an excess alcohol offences may not please your boss and make it difficult to get around a spell in prison will almost certainly be life altering.

Philip Trotter and Martin Hammond are the principals of Driving Defences, a law practice specialising in uk motoring law.

If you require free legal advice or opinion for an article then please contact Martin on 08443 350 767 or email martin@drivingdefences.com



Samuel

chrome99 asked:

Drinking driving PSA from Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Elizabeth

Michael Challiner asked:


Too many people are seriously injured or killed or on our roads each year in accidents involving drink-driving. It is currently estimate that around 3,000 people are killed or seriously injured each year on our roads in collisions where one or both of the drivers were over the drink drive limit. As you would expect, motorcyclists have the highest fatality rate of all road users – with current figures showing big increases in young riders killed whilst over the limit.

So drink driving is a huge problem, not only in the UK but all over the world resulting in many injuries and deaths. These drivers can’t argue that they don’t know the risks – so it’s down right irresponsibility. They’re not only putting themselves at risk but the lives of innocent motorists as well. The fact is that drink drivers have a lot to answer for and car insurance premiums generally have to be priced to cover the claims resulting from their actions.

But there might be a solution on the skyline. New technology is being tested in Europe and is already in service in the United States that could put an end to drink driving once and for all.

It’s called the “Alcolock”. It’s a revolutionary piece of equipment that prevents the car starting when it detects that the person sitting in the drivers seat is over the limit. It works by connecting a built breath analyser  to the ignition. When a driver enters their vehicle they have to give a breath sample via a tube connected to the device, this is analysed and if the level of alcohol is above the legal limit, the ignition of the car is imobilised.

These devices are already in use in parts of Canada and the USA where a driver has already been convicted drink driving. This has enabled the Canadian and American governments to reduce the number of known drink drivers reoffending. In America, to avoid any cheating of the system, some devices even require the driver to provide a breath sample before the journey and at random times during the journey.

These machines have been tested sucessfully in Europe and especially in Sweden but there are a few flaws that need to be resolved. For example, one tester in Sweden reported that he had to blow into the machine 76 times before the ignition would start – and he hadn’t touched a drop of alcohol! Clearly, the manufacturers must be absolutely sure that the equipment totally reliable before launching it onto the market.

Sweden, a leader in car safety, is now fitting the devices to all new cars in a voluntary code which involves all Sweedish car manufacturers. And by 2012 these devices will be compulsory for all the country’s new commercial vehicles.

We believe Sweeden’s lead will make all of Europe sit up and take notice extending to all new cars.

We know that this raises issues on people’s rights as stressed by the Association for British Drivers. But surely, if preventative measures can be taken, they should. After all  the lives of fellow road users are at risk and they have rights too.

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Jonathan

Johnnyvalentino asked:

Comedian Johnny Valentino talks about drinking, driving and “Police Officers”

Micle Shenker

lmpaf asked:

Three Drinking driving counterattack ads
Accidents

Ralph