Solid evidence needed before drink-drive reduction
The Government wants “solid evidence” about the impact of reducing the drink-drive limit before changing it.
Drink-drive limit won't be cut without solid evidence
A new consultation says the current limit of 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood is being kept “under review” amid calls for reducing it to 50mg. Some in trade say reducing the limit further would hit country pubs in particular.
The consultation from the Department for Transport says: “A change in the prescribed limit would be a significant change of strategy. We want to have solid evidence on how many deaths and injuries could be avoided by a new limit, and we want to understand the wider social implications of a lower limit.”
The document asks what evidence can be offered, and what further evidence can be obtained, to support a lowering of the drink-drive limit.
Last month, road safety minister Jim Fitzpatrick said: “We are not convinced that dropping to 50 [mg] is the right answer. Drivers who are between 50 and 80mg are not the ones we are most worried about. It’s the ones above 100.”
The new consultation proposes other actions to curb drink-driving, such as removing a person’s right to give a blood or urine test instead of a breath test.
The consultation closes on 27 February 2009.
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