Drink driver challenges Scottish driving ban being imposed south of the border
Friday, June 03, 2016
A drink driver is challenging the Scottish Government’s right to ban him south of the border. Breathalysed in Dalbeattie in Dumfries and Galloway, Mr Ashley Medicks was over the Scottish limit but still under the limit in England and Wales. He is now taking legal advice to overturn his UK-wide driving ban.
Mr Medicks said “It may well be that I am the first person to consider bringing a test case on this issue”. He has posted an online petition which he will present to Scottish Justice Minister Michael Matheson. He said he admitted committing an offence under Scottish law but added “I…am now in the position of questioning whether it is fair and proper, let alone legal, to withdraw my licence to drive south of the border, where I have broken no laws”.He said that lawyers who he had contacted who were road traffic experts all agreed that the situation is wrong.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said “It is the case, throughout the UK, that driving bans following conviction are not restricted to the jurisdiction in which an offence is committed”.
