Drinking and driving can
carry life-long consequences depending on the circumstances of the arrest. Not
only do these consequences affect the individuals involved by them serving jail
time, paying for fines, and losing one’s license, it can also lead to strains
in relationships and financial difficulties that can hurt entire families. If
you’re not sure how devastating drinking and driving can be, continue reading
below.
What Defines Drunk
Driving?
Drunk driving in Ontario
is defined as operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol level that is ‘above 80’
or having more than 80 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood. Note that this blood
alcohol level can vary between individuals who drank the same amount of alcohol
based on their gender, weight, height, metabolism, body types, and other
related factors. Some people may not seem impaired but have a high blood
alcohol level. As little as one to two drinks can make an individual impaired
if that individual has a slight frame and consumed the drinks within a short
span of time.
Why is Drunk Driving Taken
Seriously by the Law?
The consequences of
operating a vehicle when impaired can result in loss of life and permanent
physical damage if an accident occurs. This is why even first offences of drunk
driving can face relatively severe fines compared to other run-ins with the
law. Consequent charges of drunk driving are met with jail time, a criminal
record, and fines. This is not an over reaction by the law because drunk
driving remains as one of the top offences every year based on statistics.
How to Face a Charge of
Drinking and Driving?
Because drinking and
driving is treated as a serious offence, a charge should be legally addressed
promptly. If you have been arrested for drinking and driving and Canada, you
must hire a DUI lawyer as soon as possible to
make sure that everything is clarified to avoid a criminal record or minimize
the severity of the punishments legally. Calvin Barry is a criminal defence lawyer in Toronto who handles charges of drinking and
driving as a DUI lawyer. Contact Calvin Barry today.