EVERYONE knows that drunk driving is illegal - but do you know all the rules? <\/p>\n
While we all know you shouldn't get behind the wheel after a drink, there are other, lesser known laws to keep you safe that could see you slapped with a 2,500 fine.<\/p>\n
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Dominic Smith, director of the UK's leading criminal driving legal firmPatterson Law, has now issued an urgent warning about how to stay safe and avoid falling foul of strict drink-driving rules. <\/p>\n
Under the Road Traffic Act 1988, a motorist can be found guilty of an offence if they are simply \"in charge\" of their car while drunk.<\/p>\n
So while it may seem harsh, this can see motorists prosecuted for driving under the influence even if they never opened their car or switched on their engines. <\/p>\n
The offence could see drivers banned from the road, slapped with a fine of up to 2,500 - or even imprisoned for three months. <\/p>\n
The strict rules have led Dominic to warn motorists to think twice next time they have a drink. <\/p>\n
The legal expert said one of the most common times people get caught out is at the pub, when revellers might try and grab something from their car. <\/p>\n
He said: \"I've known people to be arrested who have been at the pub with their keys on them and they nip out to the car to get a pack of cigarettes or a coat.\"<\/p>\n
He added drivers are then shocked when they \"then get arrested for being drunk and in charge of their car.\"<\/p>\n
In the eyes of the law, drivers are guilty if they are believed to have been intending to drive their car - which can mean even sitting in the backseat with the keys in your pocket.<\/p>\n
This can cause Brits to be especially vulnerable when they are sleeping in their car - as dozing motorists may still fall under \"being in control of a motor vehicle\". <\/p>\n
Dominic said: \"You don't need to start the car or even sit in it to be 'drunk in charge'. <\/p>\n
\"The second you go out of your house, if you have your car keys on you, you are technically in charge of the car.\"<\/p>\n
Dominic added that the only way to defend against the offence is to prove in court there was NO WAY you were going to drive - a particularly difficult assumption to challenge. <\/p>\n
The driving lawyer issued his golden rule: If you have a drink - you can't even go near your car. No exceptions. <\/p>\n
Despite believing they are fine to drive, research by lease companyVanaramafound millions of drivers could unintentionally drive over the limit while thinking they are sober enough. <\/p>\n
According to the study, almost a third of UK drivers were unaware that a glass of champagne would put them over the legal limit. <\/p>\n
Another 22 percent of motorists didn't know that drinking two small glasses of wine would also make getting behind the wheel illegal - which is an offence even with the engine off. <\/p>\n
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Im a driving lawyer these are the drink driving rules that NO ONE knows about... - The Sun<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" EVERYONE knows that drunk driving is illegal - but do you know all the rules? Continue reading