Motorists could face penalties of up to £22,500 this Christmas as drink-driving incidents continue to rise, with nearly 99 drivers caught daily across Britain over the last three years. In England and Wales alone, 36,415 motorists were convicted last year for exceeding the limit or refusing breath tests.
With police launching their festive enforcement campaign and increasing roadside stops, Ollie Green, a motoring expert at MOT service Collect Service Go, warns that even minor festive season errors could land drivers with hefty penalties. Breaching one lesser-known regulation could see motorists handed fines reaching £22,500, imprisonment for life and disqualification from driving for up to five years.
"Standing next to your car whilst under the influence of alcohol could result in a fine of up to £2,500 and three months in prison for doing the act. You can be prosecuted for drunk driving under English law even if you aren't behind the wheel.
"You could also face charges for driving while intoxicated if there is proof that you intended to operate a vehicle, and this includes just standing next to your vehicle."
"Sleeping in your car while under the influence of drink or drugs could see you fined £2,500 if the police find you and charge you for being drunk in charge of a motor vehicle in a public place.
"According to the Road Traffic Act 1988, it states that a motorist can be found guilty if they are 'in charge of a motor vehicle on a road or other public place after consuming so much alcohol that the proportion of it in his breath, blood or urine exceeds the prescribed limit'."
How to avoid fines and penalties for drink driving. Plan ahead by ensuring you have a designated driver who will stay sober and be responsible for driving everyone home safely, or organise your evening around public transport schedules and pre-book taxis.
If you're at a friend's house, consider staying the night instead of trying to drive home. Don't get caught out the next morning by making sure that even if you feel sober, you might still be over the limit the next day as alcohol may still be in your system from the previous night.