5. ‘Taxis Are Too Expensive’

One noticeably shocking excuse that came to light was somebody blaming the reason for them drink driving was because the price of taxis was too high for them to be able to afford.

Our specialist driving offence solicitors advise always to choose to take a taxi even if it’s expensive. Ironically, the result of trying to save money on a taxi fare can end up costing you much more money, as well as other charges.

Somebody who is a first time offender for drink driving would be facing a potential of 6 months in prison, an unlimited fine and losing their licence for one year. 

4. ‘I Have Only Had Two Drinks’

One of the most common things drink drivers do is deny the amount of alcohol they’ve had. In some specific cases, drink drivers have not only denied that they had had a drop of alcohol but gone on to refuse to take the breathalyser test.

Our driving offence solicitors advise that it’s always best to honest with the police otherwise it can end up harming you further down the line. Refusing to take a breathalyser test can also result in a potential six-month imprisonment, an unlimited fine and a ban from driving for at least a year. However, the difference is that if the case went to trial, you might end up getting a much harsher punishment for not collaborating. 

Using a highly qualified driving offence solicitor to help inform you in this scenario can help you understand what the best move for you is. 

3. ‘I’m Not As Bad As My Friends’

Being the designated driver means you avoid drinking any more than the legal limit, rather than being the least drunk compared to the rest of your group. Your impairment has nothing to do with anyone else’s impairment, and this is the way the law will look at it as well.

Next time you go to happy hour or decide to have a night out on the town, leave your keys at home and get a taxi. Not drinking and driving is the only sure-fire way to avoid a DUI charge (Driving Under the Influence).

2. ‘The Whisky Helped My Toothache’

A man reportedly drove into cars after he said he drank whisky to help with his toothache. The man crashed when he took his partner’s car without her consent to get more alcohol to numb the pain.

A spokesman for the Probation Service said: “Having consumed around half a bottle of whisky he tried to get an emergency appointment with a dentist.” But, the man took his partner’s car to go and get more alcohol to numb the pain.

Later during the trial, he admitted that at the time he didn’t feel he was driving erratically but accepts the alcohol consumption impacted on his behaviour.

Due to this man having a toothache, he put his own and others’ lives at risk. Even though he didn’t end up having a crash, he would have still faced severe punishment, including time in prison and a hefty fine.

1. ‘I Started Drinking After I Crashed’

One policeman claimed a man said he downed a beaker of whisky after crashing his car when police caught up with him.

He used the “hipflask defence” after a witness found him behind the wheel in a car park in the morning with the engine revving and smoke emitting from the vehicle.

He said he had drunk a beaker of whiskey after getting home, though police weren’t able to find any trace of an empty glass, following a search.

Crashing while drink driving is the entire reason drink driving laws are in place. When you are impaired, you are heightening the chances of a crash. Therefore, you are putting both your own and others life at a higher risk. The punishment for causing death through drink driving is severe. You could face 14 years in prison, an unlimited fine, at least a two-year ban from driving and an extended driving test to recover your licence in the future.