Alcohol and driving do not go together, and can lead to both serious accidents and harsh penalties.
The limit for drunk driving is 0.2 per thousand of alcohol in the blood, and the limit for serious drunk driving is 1.0 per thousand of alcohol in the blood. But can you be arrested even if you are below the alcohol limit?
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0.1 per thousand in the blood – can you be convicted?
The answer to whether you can be convicted of drunk driving, even if you have less alcohol in your blood than the limit of 0.2 per thousand, is yes.
If you are so affected by alcohol that you cannot safely drive your car, you are guilty of drunk driving – regardless of whether you are under the alcohol limit or not.
It’s not just the number on the breathalyzer that counts – Photo: Fredrik Sandberg/TTS That’s what the law says
According to The Swedish Transport Administration there are three definitions of drunk driving, the first of which is if the alcohol content in the blood exceeds 0.2 per thousand.
You can also be guilty of drunk driving if you are so affected by alcohol or other substances that you “can’t drive in a safe manner”.
If you have a narcotic substance in your blood, you can also be guilty of drunk driving. However, this does not apply to substances that are used according to a doctor’s prescription.
What about gross drunk driving?
It is also possible to be convicted of aggravated drunk driving, even if you are under the blood alcohol limit of 1.0 per thousand.
You can also be convicted of serious drunken driving if you are significantly under the influence of alcohol or other substances, and if you drive in a way that poses a significant danger to traffic safety.
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What is the penalty for drunk driving?
Being convicted of drunk driving can result in severe penalties, according to the Swedish Transport Administration.
The penalty scale for drunk driving includes a fine or imprisonment for up to six months, as well as a suspended driver’s license for up to 12 months. The most common punishment is daily fines and a suspended driver’s license
Being convicted of aggravated drunk driving almost always means prison. Serious drunk driving can result in imprisonment for up to two years, or up to eight years in combination with causing the death of another.
In case of serious drunken driving, the driver’s license can be suspended for up to 24 months. Anyone who has their driving license revoked for more than 12 months must take a new driving test.