Bristol drink driver crashed into parked cars
A Bristol drink driver who crashed into two parked cars and a van on her way home from a private art viewing has been banned from driving for 17 months.
Mother-of-two Karen Stevens, 48, drove her Audi into a Citroen and a Fiat Punto parked in Ravenhill Road, Knowle, on June 19.
She also hit a Ford Transit van, which destroyed the front garden wall of a nearby house, as she was on her way home from a private viewing of University of the West of England art students' work.
Stevens, a UWE student of Brecknock Road, Totterdown, said she planned to have just one glass of wine at the event but said her glass was continuously topped up and she lost track of how much she had to drink.
At 9.30pm police arrived at Ravenhill Road to find Stevens' car in the middle of the road with fuel spilling out of it.
A breath test showed she had 86mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath.The legal level is 35mg.
Defence lawyer Neil Brooker told the court: "Ms Stevens said she felt OK at the time, and that's why she drove home.
"Unfortunately there was a road traffic collision where her car hit other parked vehicles.
"She was very shaken up about the incident and the car was written off.
"She is of previously good character. This is a new situation she finds herself in, and she is totally remorseful. Clearly it was a lapse in judgement and she accepts that."
Friends of the art and visual culture student described her as a "devoted mother" in references sent to the court.
Magistrate Fiona Densham said: "We know that we will not be seeing you in court again. We will disqualify you for 17 months." She was ordered to pay a fine of £100, costs of £60, and a £15 victim surcharge.
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by B Fisher, South West
Monday, July 27 2009, 10:53PM
“Shocked with ban, I was banned for 30 months, first offence, community service 80 hours. I was stopped someone called police as smelt alcohol on my breath. I was so shocked at what could have happened it scared me so much, I gave up alcohol now enjoy driving. Drink driving kills and this point should be carried by us the offenders not costly campaigns. I would gladly work with road safety to try to get this message across if it only deterred some. Statistics say approx 1 in 4 drivers are over limit daily on British Roads”
by anil, south glos
Wednesday, July 08 2009, 9:21AM
“Agree with John. If you're driving, then don't drink alcohol. If you cause inury or damage as a result, it should be a lifetime ban. If you cause death, then it should be second degree murder,
A 17 month ban is a nonsense. If you're going out drinking, you can always get a bus or taxi.”
by robert, brizzle
Tuesday, July 07 2009, 3:05PM
“What she actually did, Joe, was to drive after drinking."”
by Joe, Longwell Green
Tuesday, July 07 2009, 1:34PM
“Margaret, Hartcliffe - John, Bristol suggested that the sentence should have been higher based on what *could* have happened.
Sentences are not handed down on what *could* have (but didn't) happen but on the basis of fact and what *did* happen.
In this case, the person concerned did *not* drive while drinking as you claim. You really should have written: "What she actually did, Joe, was to drive after drinking."
You can get capital letters by pressing the "shift" key on your keyboard.”
by margaret, hartcliffe
Tuesday, July 07 2009, 10:21AM
“but what they actually done joe was to drive while drinking”