Statistically, alcohol and drugs are significant factors in road traffic accidents. According to official figures, around 270 people were killed in drink drive accidents on British roads in 2014 – accounting for around 16% of all road deaths. However, the total number of casualties was far greater; 8,220 people were injured, with 1,080 of these classified as "serious".

In surveys, one in eight drivers have admitted to driving while they thought they were over the limit.

It is a criminal offence to be in charge of a motor vehicle while above the legal limit or unfit through drink. If you are found guilty, you could be sent to prison, fined and banned from driving.

The same penalties apply to the criminal offence of driving while impaired due to drugs, and to a new offence that recently came into force. This is the offence of driving, attempting to drive or being in charge of a motor vehicle with a specified controlled drug in the body above the level specified for that drug.

New drink driving limits

In 2014 a new law has came into force which made the legal drink-drive limit in Scotland lower than for the rest of the UK. As a result, the legal alcohol limit was reduced from 80mg to 50mg in every 100ml of blood. While in England, the limit is still 80mg of alcohol to 100ml of blood.

According to the Don't Risk It campaign, Police Scotland stop more than 80,000 drivers per month on suspicion of drink or drug driving and around 20,000 of these are found to be offending under the law.

Thompsons personal injury solicitors

If you have been involved in a road traffic accident involving a drink or drug driver you could be entitled to compensation for your pain, injury, losses and expenses. Call our lawyers today on 0800 0891331 and we will advise you on your first steps to making your claim.

Thompsons is the leading personal injury firm in Scotland, wins around 90% of the cases it takes on and each week secures more than £1 million in compensation for its clients.