One drink and you'll be over the limit
The Government is reportedly considering lowering the drink-drive limit to bring the UK into line with most of Europe.
A report in the Times says the limit could be lowered from from 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood to 50mg - meaning people could be "over the limit after one drink".
Reducing the limit will make a public statement that it is impossible to have one drink and be certain you will pass a breathalyser testMed Hughes, Acpo's head of roads policing.
The paper says later this year the Government will publish a consultation paper to gauge opinion.
It says: "With a 50mg limit, most people would be able to consume only one 175ml glass of standard-strength wine or half a pint of strong beer and remain legally fit to drive."
Speaking at a seminar in London yesterday, Stephen Ladyman, the Road Safety Minister, said the Government was in favour of moving to a 50mg limit but first wanted to see evidence that it would be properly enforced by police.
He said: "I think it will happen. The consultation will include lowering the limit. It depends on how quickly we get enforcement at 80mg. If you go to 50mg before you have effective enforcement at 80mg, people will just ignore the 50mg level."
Med Hughes, Acpo's head of roads policing and Chief Constable of South Yorkshire, told the paper: "Reducing the limit will make a public statement that it is impossible to have one drink and be certain you will pass a breathalyser test. We support it because it will save lives and make the law very simple."
