Government urged to cut drink-driving limit
The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) is calling for a lowering of the legal drink-diving limit.
The call follows seasonal figures which suggest that despite massive anti-drink driving campaigns over a number of years, Christmas motorists continue to drink and drive.
During the festive period this year, around 10 per cent of the motorists breathalysed tested positive.
Richard Brunstrom, spokesman for ACPO, said that the percentage of drivers in collisions and accidents who tested positive this year was similar to the proportion found drink-driving in 1997.
“A worrying proportion of those involved in collisions are still driving having consumed alcohol,” Mr Brunstrom said.
“I again reiterate my strong belief that it is time the Government followed the European Commission recommendation that the blood alcohol limit be lowered from 80mg to 50mg.”
Out of 11,685 breath tests carried out by police officers between December 18th and January 2nd following collisions, 1,022 were positive. This percentage of 8.75 per cent compares to 9.11 per cent in 1997.
His call was backed by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) who are urging the Government to use the new Road Safety Bill to cut the drink drive limit.
Head of road safety, Kevin Clinton, said: “Studies have shown that cutting the drink-drive limit from 80mg to 50mg could save 50 lives and 250 serious injuries a year.
“Some people may be taking extra care at Christmas because they are afraid of being caught in extra police checks, but road safety should be an issue all year round. A cut in the limit and allowing police to breath-test drivers anywhere and at anytime would concentrate people’s minds much more on the dangers of drinking and driving throughout the year.”
