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Drunk driving, also known as drink-driving or driving under the influence (DUI), is a serious offence in Whakatane, New Zealand, as it is throughout the rest of the country. The law prohibits individuals from operating a vehicle if their breath or blood alcohol level exceeds the legal limit. Violations of this law can lead to severe consequences, including fines, disqualification from driving, and imprisonment.
If you've been charged with a drink-driving offence, it is highly recommended that you seek legal help. A lawyer can explain the charges, potential consequences, and guide you through the legal process. They can also help negotiate pleas or challenge the evidence if there are grounds to do so. If you are facing more severe charges due to repeat offending or causing harm to someone while drink-driving, having a lawyer becomes even more critical.
In Whakatane, as in all of New Zealand, the legal breath alcohol limit for drivers aged 20 or over is 250 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath or 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. For drivers under 20, there is a zero-alcohol limit. Penalties vary from on-the-spot fines to imprisonment based on the severity of the offence and whether it's the driver's first offense or a repeat one. Furthermore, infringement fees and demerit points can also be applied.
Drunk driving penalties can range from on-the-spot fines and demerit points to disqualification, imprisonment and heavy fines depending on factors such as blood alcohol level, presence of minors in the vehicle and frequency of offence.
For drivers aged 20 and over, the limit is 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. For drivers under 20, there is a zero-alcohol limit.
A first offence, depending on your blood alcohol level, may lead to an on-the-spot fine and demerit points. However, severe penalties may apply if your blood alcohol level is well over the limit or if accident and injury has occurred as a result.
Each case is unique, but a proficient lawyer, through understanding of the law and effective defense strategies, can potentially help in reducing charges, penalties or even getting charges dismissed in certain circumstances.
For repeated high-level offences within a period of 5 years, drivers may face a minimum of 1 to 3 years of disqualification and imprisonment.
You can access additional information and support via New Zealand's Ministry of Transport and NZ Transport Agency websites. Local legal bodies such as the Law Society of New Zealand can also provide assistance in finding a lawyer specialising in drink-driving offences.
If you need legal assistance for a drunk driving offence, it’s important to immediately consult a lawyer who specialises in this field. Write down all the details pertaining to your case as accurately as possible. Practice your right to remain silent until you have legal representation. And lastly, always remember, prevention is better than cure. Drunk driving can have dire consequences not just for you, but for others on the road as well.
