MP calls for drop in drink-drive limit
Liberal Democrat MP Don Foster is calling on the government to drop the drink-drive limit to bring it into line with the rest of Europe.
Mr Foster who is the shadow transport secretary has tabled an amendment to the Railway and Transport Safety Bill to reduce the current 80mg per 100ml down to 50mg.
He believes that a drop in the limit will help cut the number of drink related deaths on the road and argues that the government has failed to cut the limit because of pressure from the alcohol industry.
"The department for transport has failed to act despite acknowledging that drivers with blood levels of between and 80mg and 50mg are a significant - but largely hidden - cause of accidents responsible for around 80 deaths a year," he said.
The move has brought concern from the trade who believe that such a cut would not stop hardcore offenders but could lead customers to stay away from pubs and drink at home instead. The fear is also that country and rural pubs that act as a destination venues would lose trade.
In March last year trade leaders successfully argued against a drop in the limit on the grounds that the UK is very strict in enforcing its higher limit. And back in 1998 when the government put forward proposals to reduce the limit, The Publican Newspaper drummed up some 8,000 signatures for a petition against the move.Drinks watchdog the Portman Group has spoken out against the move.
Jean Coussins, chief executive, said: "All the evidence suggests that the most important factors for saving the most lives are strict law enforcement, tough penalties and public education. In France, where the BAC level is set at 40, there are seven times as many drink-drive deaths as there are in the UK, because enforcement is weak. The Portman Group supports even stronger breath-testing powers for the police, and our message to the public, whatever the legal limit, remains don't drink and drive."
The British Beer & Pub Association has campaigned against the drop in the limit and supports responsible drink driving through advertising and promotion. Spokeswoman Karen Kelshaw said: "We want to concentrate on the repeat drink-drive offenders who consistently go over the limit.
