Crazy drink driving laws (UK)

[mikeymack2002]

I like to find quirky rules and laws and I have a strange one to share. Story >>

 

 

'Having been a practising solicitor for over 16 years, I like to think that I have seen my fair share of quirky cases. But imagine my surprise when I was recently asked to represent a severely disabled man who was being charged with drink driving while on his mobility scooter.

I joined the case late in the day. When I met the client he had already been charged with the offense and had attended court and ultimately pleaded guilty to a charge of driving a mechanically propelled vehicle whilst unfit through drink'.

 

 

Although this story is now a few years old (2014) it still raises several issues in regards to the use and control of mobility scooters.

 

 

Story can be read here >> http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/salome-verrell/mobility-scooters-raise-legal-loophole_b_5958516.html

[citizenB]

It is akin to stopping and breathalysing someone for walking home drunk.

 

 

Can the police not breathalyse someone who is walking in order to establish the level of drunkenness ? Especially if they are causing a public nuisance ?

 

Whilst I appreciate it would be extremely harsh to ban the scooter driver, there should be some kind of punishment if he was driving any type of vehicle/carriage whilst not in a fit state to do so?

 

Even at some of the slow speeds those machines go, they can cause a lot of damage if you are knocked down by one !

[Consumer dude]

Should also apply to cyclists who are over the limit as well..

[citizenB]

Should also apply to cyclists who are over the limit as well..

 

 

Absolutely

[mikeymack2002]

It already applies to pedestrians lol

[honeybee13]

Should also apply to cyclists who are over the limit as well..

 

It already does.

 

Section 30 Road Traffic Act 1988 says: "It is an offence for a person to ride a cycle on a road or other public place when unfit to ride through drink or drugs - that is to say - is under the influence of a drink or a drug to such an extent as to be incapable of having proper control of the cycle.

 

http://www.bikehub.co.uk/featured-articles/cycling-and-the-law/

[Consumer dude]

It already applies to pedestrians lol

 

I agree especially those on mobile phones who don't pay attention to there environment and other people while doing so..

[mikeymack2002]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1129306/Lager-drinking-mum-convicted-drunk-charge-pram.html

[citizenB]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1129306/Lager-drinking-mum-convicted-drunk-charge-pram.html

 

 

The 37-year-old, from St Anne Street, Birkenhead, was convicted of being drunk in charge of children.

 

She appeared before Wirral magistrates for sentencing today.

 

Anna Beeho, prosecuting, said: 'When officers approached they could smell intoxicants.

 

'When they asked about the children she said they belonged to the daughter of a friend.

 

'She added that she did not know their names.

 

 

 

 

 

I wonder if the friend continued to let her look after the youngsters ?

[tobyjugg2]

Google 'wanton or furious riding'.

[mikeymack2002]

That's s35 offences against the persons act 1861 I think. This is what you can be charged with if you injure a pedestrian with a scooter.