Portman Group denies corrupting Government over drink-drive limit
The Portman Group has dismissed accusations that it corrupted the Government by convincing officials not to lower the drink-drive limit.
Ministers ignored the advice of police and road safety groups and accepted the arguments of the alcohol industry when deciding not to cut the limit from 80mg to 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood back in March, according to a House of Lords committee.
This was despite the fact that the Department for Transport had given the impression that the limit would be changed to bring the UK in line with Europe.
But a spokesman for the Portman Group denied that it had been underhand. "We responded to the government's consultation in the same way as everyone else," he said.
"Of course we didn't corrupt the Government. It made up its own mind," he added.
"We strongly believe the best way to cut drink-driving is to target the hardcore offenders. At least 50 per cent of offenders are more than twice over the limit."
Cutting the limit would not deter these offenders, he said.
Fears that the drink-drive limit could be lowered were put to rest in March after consultation with the trade.
Transport minister David Jamieson said the decision had been reached because the penalties for drinking and driving in Britain were already among the toughest in Europe, but the Association of Chief Police Officers is continuing to lobby for a limit cut.
The UK is one of only four European member states with an 80mg limit.
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Trade delight as drink-drive limit plans are overturned (21 March 2002)
