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How Do UK Drink Driving Laws Compare to the Rest of the World?

Travelling to other countries is an exciting adventure. You get to see new things, taste new foods, and even taste new beverages, including alcoholic beverages. But, what do you need to know before going to other countries and enjoying a drink with friends?

Not all countries are the same in their BAC, blood alcohol concentration, limits.  The BAC for the UK, the United States, Belize, Canada, Fiji, Kenya, Malaysia, and Mexico, to name a few is 0.08pc. The BAC limit for Argentina, Aruba, Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Costa Rica, Denmark, France, Finland, Greenland, Ireland, and Switzerland is 0.05pc. Those countries with a zero tolerance policy include Afghanistan, Bahrain, Barbados, Brazil, Nepal, Czech Republic, Russia, Iran, and Iraq among several others.

Likewise, the penalties in different countries vary greatly. In the UK, if your BAC is above the limits, you could face a fine of up to £7,200, spend some time in prison, or have your license banned for up to 2 years. In Canada, if your BAC is above the limit, you may be fined up to $790, spend up to 4 months in prison, or lose your license for up to 2 years. China’s penalties for a BAC level above the limit could include a large fine, imprisonment, a ban on their driver’s license for up to 5 years, or death if the drink driving incident caused death. In the United States, if the BAC is above the limit, a person could face community service, up to 10 years in prison, or a driving ban up to 6 months. If a person is found to have a BAC above the limit, they could face a fine of $240-$320, up to 3 years in prison, or a driving ban for life.

Just as the BAC varies between countries, so do the penalties. So, if you are in another country for pleasure or business, make sure that you know the BAC limits and the laws pertaining to the penalties for driving while the BAC is above the limit. If you are ever in doubt, contact your solicitor and they can help you with the information you need.

03/12/2015 05:48