The beginning of December has seen the introduction of various police and Government initiatives to deal with the issue of drink and drug driving.

Although police forces throughout the UK operate campaigns against drink and drug driving throughout the year, they are most prominent during the festive season.

Derbyshire Constabulary has, for example, joined forces with Crimestoppers in offering rewards of up to £1,000 for “information leading to the arrest and charge of a drink-driver”. This campaign will run from 1st December 2013 to 1st January 2014 and the amount of reward payable will depend on the nature and severity of the wrongdoing reported.

At the same time the Government has launched its latest THINK! drink drive campaign. The campaign highlights the snowball effect a drink drive conviction can have on future job prospects, and  points out that up to one million people work in jobs they could lose as a result of a drink drive conviction. On top of this a survey has shown that, if convicted, almost a third (27%) of people would have to give up their job because they rely on a car to get to work.

People who drive as part of their job are particularly vulnerable but someone with a conviction could also be denied access to millions more jobs that are eligible for criminal records checks. These jobs include professional driving jobs, teachers, care workers and jobs in banks and finance.

Any employer can ask to see unspent criminal convictions and research shows that three-quarters of employers admit to taking a criminal conviction into account during the recruitment process.

When facing such serious consequences, if you are arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, it is important that your rights are protected from the very beginning.

Our motoring offence solicitors have wide experience successfully defending these cases. We are deeply familiar with all possible defences, and we will vigorously work to identify and pursue the best option to resolve your case successfully. We may be able to minimise the consequences of your drink driving charge by negotiating your participation in driver rehabilitation courses or community orders.

Contact Lewis Nedas’ Criminal Lawyers in London

If you have been charged with drink or drug driving and require specialist legal advice please contact our solicitors Jeffrey Lewis or Siobhain Egan on 020 7387 2032 or complete our online enquiry form here.

This blog post is intended as a news item only – no connection between Lewis Nedas and the parties concerned is intended or implied.