Don’t Drive!

Max Marsden

With the festive season upon us, police patrols are out in force. Max Marsden from our Criminal Law department takes a look at what happens if you are pulled over on suspicion of drink/drug driving.

North Yorkshire Police have published new statistics highlighting the scale of drink and drug driving across the region. In December last year, officers made 94 arrests related to drink driving.

The force also revealed figures from its 2025 summer drink and drug drive campaign, which ran throughout July. During that single month, 129 arrests were made for drink or drug driving offences, underscoring the ongoing challenge of tackling drink driving on North Yorkshire’s roads.

Under section 163 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 Police can require a vehicle on the roads to pull over. The police have the authority to request a breath test if they reasonably suspect you have been drinking, committed a traffic offence, or been involved in a collision. Refusing without a valid medical reason can lead to arrest and prosecution and can be a separate and more serious offence.

Knowing your limits

The legal limit in England and Wales remains 35 micrograms per 100ml of breath, but proposals are underway to reduce this to 22 micrograms, in line with Scotland.

What to do if signalled to stop and pull over

If you are signalled to stop, do so safely and promptly. Stay in your vehicle unless asked to exit.

Legal representation matters

If you are arrested or asked to attend a voluntary interview at a police station, you are entitled to free legal advice while the matter is under investigation. It is essential that you do not agree to a recorded interview without first speaking to a solicitor. This step can be critical in safeguarding your position and ensuring you receive fair treatment.

At McCormicks, our dedicated criminal law team operates 24/7 and brings extensive experience in handling road traffic offences. We are available to attend, assist, and represent individuals who are under investigation or have been charged with drink driving offences.

Consequences of conviction

The penalties may be serious. Penalties include:

• Driving bans (minimum 12 months)
• Fines
• Imprisonment
• Long-term impacts on insurance, employment, and travel

The best advice remains simple: don’t drive if you have consumed alcohol or drugs. But, if you are stopped, staying calm, knowing your rights, and seeking legal advice can make a significant difference.