So what are the rules and legislation regarding being under the influence and on the road? It depends on the circumstances of course, but the gist Section 5 of the Road Traffic Act 1972 details clearly that a person found to be under the influence or alcohol or narcotics is guilty of offence (source – opens as a pdf).
And the rules don’t just relate to being under the influence whilst in charge of what you might generally expect to be a motor vehicle; i.e. a car, lorry, motorcycle etc.
BBC News reports of a man in the US found guilty of being under the influence whilst in charge of… well, a chair! (Motorised of course!) (source)
The 62 year old American pleaded guilty last Monday of driving the La – Z – Boy (pictured in the source link above) after he smashed in to a parked car following a night at a local bar.
The report goes on to discuss that the chair, of which the Minnesota authorities impounded following the incident, is to be auctioned on ebay with no reserve price as part of legislation which allows the police to auction off seized vehicles from drink-driving related incidents or even retain them for official use.
On a side note, if you are interested in the chair, it comes with a stereo, nitrous oxide booster, parachute and a “hell yeah it’s fast” sticker!
On a serious note, a person under the influence of alcohol or narcotics whilst in charge of a motor vehicle can lead to serious accident; and innocent injured parties have a right to claim for the compensation they deserve!
- If you are involved in a road traffic accident as a result of the offending party being under the influence, then you have a right to claim for compensation for any injuries you sustain; you will need expert claims advice!
- If you are a passenger in a vehicle that was being driven by a person under the influence then you too have a right to claim! But please be advised that if you were aware that the driver of the vehicle you were travelling in was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident, then although you may still claim for compensation, you may not be awarded 100% of the compensation. The courts will recognise that you should not have travelled with a driver knowing that they were under the influence of alcohol / narcotics.
- If you are involved in an accident as a result of the offending party being under the influence and in charge of, well, a chair or other mobile object perhaps, seek expert advice from an injury lawyer with experience and find out instantly whether you can claim for compensation!
Our advice is always the same to those daft enough to drink and drive – DONT!!