High risk offenders now face a medical examination before they can begin driving again
Changes to the law effective from June aim to prevent alcohol-dependent drivers from getting back behind the wheel after a ban. Motorists classified as high risk offenders must now pass a medical examination before they can be reissued with a driving licence.
High risk offenders are motorists that have either been convicted of two drink driving offences in ten years or been caught more than two and a half times over the limit. The latest legislation follows last year's drink-drive conviction figures; of the 50,000 total, 22,000 were high risk offenders.
The alterations will mean high risk offenders must pass a medical examination before having their licence reissued and continue driving. Previously, a banned driver could resume driving whilst the application for their licence was being processed. Even though a medical exam still had to be passed to fully regain the licence, evidence has suggested some of those were being postponed.
Drivers who refuse to give a blood sample will now be classified as High Risk Offenders, forcing them to undergo the same reapplication process.
Road safety minister Stephen Hammond said: “These changes will tighten up the law on drink driving and will mean that the most dangerous offenders will have to prove they are no longer dependent on alcohol before they are allowed to get back behind the wheel”.
Matt Bird