Should drink drivers be banned for life?

Heard an interesting debate about this on the radio this morning. What do you think?

nope

nope

If a drunk driver crashes into you or a family member one day and the worst thing happens, you might just change your mind

nope

If a drunk driver crashes into you or a family member one day and the worst thing happens, you might just change your mind

well perhaps for the more serious crimes like that they maybe, though they would only go to jail for a few years probably, so banning them from driving for live is unlikely.


Someone pulled over on the side of the road and over the limit, they could certainly increase the ban but i wouldnt make it for life.

nope

If a drunk driver crashes into you or a family member one day and the worst thing happens, you might just change your mind

well perhaps for the more serious crimes like that they maybe, though they would only go to jail for a few years probably, so banning them from driving for live is unlikely.


Someone pulled over on the side of the road and over the limit, they could certainly increase the ban but i wouldnt make it for life.

When it's close to your heart mate, only one answer life ban

100%

Yes they should, there's no excuse for drink driving, phone a taxi.

I will never forget being woken at the age of 14 to the sound of my mothers anguished cries, when she was given news that my 20 year old brother and two of his friends had been killed in an accident as a result of a drunk driver. The drunk driver survived.

Drink driving once is bad enough, but I can accept some leniency for those who may be only slightly over the limit, perhaps after drinking the night before for example. However, anyone getting caught twice has no excuse, especially if well over the limit.

Perhaps in addition to any ban, part of the punishment process should be for drunk drivers to sit through footage of the funerals of innocent people killed, because of the selfish and irresponsible acts of people like them.

There is never an excuse for drink driving. End of.

No not for just the offence of drink driving

many people have been caught out most people these days get caught in the morning after a session the night before

the bans are fair for the offence committed

however

if you kill a person on the road through drink driving, not only should you go to prison you should never be allowed to drive again, if you have ended someones life because of stupidity why you should be trusted in a vehicle is beyond me.

Not generally.

Everyone makes mistakes. Some people wake up after a night out, wait until they feel sober enough to drive yet are still slightly over the limit. Are you saying these people should be banned for life? I feel if someone is 5 times or more over the limit then a life ban can be considered.

Some people only need the one pint to be over the limit, its not fair to ban that person for life.

I think if they are so far over the limit then yes.

Until a time when its easier to judge exactly how much is over the limit its hard IMO. I mean me and my brother having say 2pints each would effect us differently because we are totally different build.
I could be slightly over but not drunk.

Being seriously drunk at the wheel I dont believe is just a mistake, your basically a potential killer.

What about Weed....ban for life?

f*cking roads be empty.

I actually think the limit should be lowered to zero-take all the guesswork out of it-then its easy to make a judgement and all the morning after wallers would have no excuse.Its easy to be forgiving to those just over the limit when your life hasn't been blighted by some arsehole.

110% YES (should be banned from driving for life)

When you've been the victim of a drunken 'hit-and-run' where the guy had 'form' you tend tom see things in their true light, i.e. these people are driving lethal weapons of the highest order without proper control or consideration

Simple

YES IF WELL OVER THE LIMIT & DEF IF CAUGHT TWICE.

First time maybe a mistake, but twice, thats enough, peoples life's are at risk.

No.I'm testimony to that.I blew 49 on a Sunday morning at 9.45 am, nearly 7 hours after stopping drinking.I thought I was fine but got pulled because I broke down on the m4.It ruined my life for 12 months,couldn't work and couldn't function generally.It not only ruined my life but my families too until i served my ban.I'm aware I could have ruined other lives too with my actions but genuinely thought I was fit to drive and if it wasn't for my van breaking down I would have carried on home and no repercussions would have occurred.

I went on a drink driving course which i paid for and it was a real eye opener and changed my life for the better.That was 7 years ago now and ever since i have not once put myself in that position again and never will.Obviously my case is different to someone drinking 12 pints and driving home and killing someone but every case is different.If someone does drink 12 pints,jump in their vehicle and kills someone then of course they should be dealt with severely and accordingly but it isn't all black and white and just 'throw them in jail and do away with the key' type attitude.

People make mistakes,it's human nature.Nobody on this messageboard has never made a mistake.It's how you deal with that mistake.If i done the same again then yes chuck me in prison because quite frankly i'd deserve it but i've learnt and will never do the same again because i can still remember the heartache myself and my family went through all those years ago and im also aware of the damage my actions might have done if i'd hurt someone on that journey home.

No.I'm testimony to that.I blew 49 on a Sunday morning at 9.45 am, nearly 7 hours after stopping drinking.I thought I was fine but got pulled because I broke down on the m4.It ruined my life for 12 months,couldn't work and couldn't function generally.It not only ruined my life but my families too until i served my ban.I'm aware I could have ruined other lives too with my actions but genuinely thought I was fit to drive and if it wasn't for my van breaking down I would have carried on home and no repercussions would have occurred.

I went on a drink driving course which i paid for and it was a real eye opener and changed my life for the better.That was 7 years ago now and ever since i have not once put myself in that position again and never will.Obviously my case is different to someone drinking 12 pints and driving home and killing someone but every case is different.If someone does drink 12 pints,jump in their vehicle and kills someone then of course they should be dealt with severely and accordingly but it isn't all black and white and just 'throw them in jail and do away with the key' type attitude.

People make mistakes,it's human nature.Nobody on this messageboard has never made a mistake.It's how you deal with that mistake.If i done the same again then yes chuck me in prison because quite frankly i'd deserve it but i've learnt and will never do the same again because i can still remember the heartache myself and my family went through all those years ago and im also aware of the damage my actions might have done if i'd hurt someone on that journey home.

Quote: "but genuinely thought I was fit to drive..."

But you weren't (at least in the eyes of the law) were you?

This is not personal 6bysedd. I genuinely appreciate your remorse and it was an exceptionally hard lesson for you to learn, given your personal suffering afterwards

However, the point is that (like many others) you might have had an incident which resulted in some other person/family suffering far greater losses than the inconveniences you encountered

Surely, given the lessons learned, you would accept that if you ever put yourself in that position again it would be 'reasonable' for a Court to consider a lifetime driving ban?

No.I'm testimony to that.I blew 49 on a Sunday morning at 9.45 am, nearly 7 hours after stopping drinking.I thought I was fine but got pulled because I broke down on the m4.It ruined my life for 12 months,couldn't work and couldn't function generally.It not only ruined my life but my families too until i served my ban.I'm aware I could have ruined other lives too with my actions but genuinely thought I was fit to drive and if it wasn't for my van breaking down I would have carried on home and no repercussions would have occurred.

I went on a drink driving course which i paid for and it was a real eye opener and changed my life for the better.That was 7 years ago now and ever since i have not once put myself in that position again and never will.Obviously my case is different to someone drinking 12 pints and driving home and killing someone but every case is different.If someone does drink 12 pints,jump in their vehicle and kills someone then of course they should be dealt with severely and accordingly but it isn't all black and white and just 'throw them in jail and do away with the key' type attitude.

People make mistakes,it's human nature.Nobody on this messageboard has never made a mistake.It's how you deal with that mistake.If i done the same again then yes chuck me in prison because quite frankly i'd deserve it but i've learnt and will never do the same again because i can still remember the heartache myself and my family went through all those years ago and im also aware of the damage my actions might have done if i'd hurt someone on that journey home.

Quote: "but genuinely thought I was fit to drive..."

But you weren't (at least in the eyes of the law) were you?

This is not personal 6bysedd. I genuinely appreciate your remorse and it was an exceptionally hard lesson for you to learn, given your personal suffering afterwards

However, the point is that (like many others) you might have had an incident which resulted in some other person/family suffering far greater losses than the inconveniences you encountered

Surely, given the lessons learned, you would accept that if you ever put yourself in that position again it would be 'reasonable' for a Court to consider a lifetime driving ban?

Without a shadow of a doubt mate.I'd deserve it 110 percent.

TBH ive only ever had one drink usually a bottle then drove.

I think those that purposely drive drunk, ie go out then drive home knowing full well they are over the limit 100% have to lose there licenece. I think its indefendable.

TBH ive only ever had one drink usually a bottle then drove.

I think those that purposely drive drunk, ie go out then drive home knowing full well they are over the limit 100% have to lose there licenece. I think its indefendable.

there is definaltely different factors to consider. Like anything, weather it be murder, robbery or this.

someone like 6 bysedd, i mean that would happen so often if police did random pulls on a sunday morning. Now that doesnt mean its right, but its not on the same as someone who purposely takes his car to the pub.

Now of course, if you hit and kill someone, in either scenario, the law is the law and the punishments should be the same.

Yes and no.

YES IF WELL OVER THE LIMIT & DEF IF CAUGHT TWICE.

First time maybe a mistake, but twice, thats enough, peoples life's are at risk.

All depends on circumstance, but I do agree on the twice rule. 12 months is a long time to be without a car as Bysegdd has said. It's long enough to deter you from ever doing it again. I know someone whose been caught 3 times now and still hasn't had a permanent ban.

YES IF WELL OVER THE LIMIT & DEF IF CAUGHT TWICE.

First time maybe a mistake, but twice, thats enough, peoples life's are at risk.

All depends on circumstance, but I do agree on the twice rule. 12 months is a long time to be without a car as Bysegdd has said. It's long enough to deter you from ever doing it again. I know someone whose been caught 3 times now and still hasn't had a permanent ban.

He done any time for it?

Why don't they bring in a new law same as in France, you got to carry 2 breathalysers in your car, if in any doubt in the night or the morning after use them. If you are over the limit and drive and you are caught, LIFE BAN, don't know what ban it is in France

Why don't they bring in a new law same as in France, you got to carry 2 breathalysers in your car, if in any doubt in the night or the morning after use them. If you are over the limit and drive and you are caught, LIFE BAN, don't know what ban it is in France

Sounds like the makings of a good system. That would take the but I had been drinking the night before argument away. Your over then your out, simple as.

zero tolerance - any alcohol no driving - then no excuses

No.I'm testimony to that.I blew 49 on a Sunday morning at 9.45 am, nearly 7 hours after stopping drinking.I thought I was fine but got pulled because I broke down on the m4.It ruined my life for 12 months,couldn't work and couldn't function generally.It not only ruined my life but my families too until i served my ban.I'm aware I could have ruined other lives too with my actions but genuinely thought I was fit to drive and if it wasn't for my van breaking down I would have carried on home and no repercussions would have occurred.

I went on a drink driving course which i paid for and it was a real eye opener and changed my life for the better.That was 7 years ago now and ever since i have not once put myself in that position again and never will.Obviously my case is different to someone drinking 12 pints and driving home and killing someone but every case is different.If someone does drink 12 pints,jump in their vehicle and kills someone then of course they should be dealt with severely and accordingly but it isn't all black and white and just 'throw them in jail and do away with the key' type attitude.

People make mistakes,it's human nature.Nobody on this messageboard has never made a mistake.It's how you deal with that mistake.If i done the same again then yes chuck me in prison because quite frankly i'd deserve it but i've learnt and will never do the same again because i can still remember the heartache myself and my family went through all those years ago and im also aware of the damage my actions might have done if i'd hurt someone on that journey home.

Quote: "but genuinely thought I was fit to drive..."

But you weren't (at least in the eyes of the law) were you?

This is not personal 6bysedd. I genuinely appreciate your remorse and it was an exceptionally hard lesson for you to learn, given your personal suffering afterwards

However, the point is that (like many others) you might have had an incident which resulted in some other person/family suffering far greater losses than the inconveniences you encountered

Surely, given the lessons learned, you would accept that if you ever put yourself in that position again it would be 'reasonable' for a Court to consider a lifetime driving ban?

Without a shadow of a doubt mate.I'd deserve it 110 percent.

That's very honest of you and I appreciate it

The other argument is that if you give a drunk driver a 2nd chance thats one more than many RTA victims get. If you look at it like that it doesn't seem unfair really does it? If I had to decide between having no licence or living with say no parents I know what I would choose. The difference is drunk drivers have a choice their victims dont.

From my own personal experience, first time no I don't believe a life time ban is suitable but second time yes.

I went out with a few mates a couple of years ago and planned on leaving the car at the pub. When it was time to go the 2 friends I was with convinced me too drive home saying it was only round the corner. I crashed into a tree leaving myself and one of my other friends to be rushed to hospital. My friend was ok besides a couple of cuts and bruises and I had a few broken bones from the impact.

For me the ban or possible prison wasn't what has stopped me from doing it again. The fact I nearly killed two of my friends who both have kids scared the living crap out of me.

And to this day I'm extremely thankful that no one was seriously hurt or killed and wont even sip a bit of alcohol and drive now.

But like a few other posters have already said it could have been worse and I could have killed some innocent bystander

I don't think so but then again I think people shouldn't be sent to jail for drugs.

Its the easy option for the government and probably the cheaper option too.

Bang them up instead of trying to help them.

Imagine a 17 year old getting banned for life because he made a mistake, for repeat offenders I agree but I'd say it really should depend on the circumstance.