Tories rule out drink drive changes

The Tories have ruled out changes to the drink drive limit, after a Labour minister said there was "a strong case" for the limit to be reduced.

An official review of drink driving laws is expected to recommend cutting the legal limit from 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood to 50mg.

This would mean drivers could be prosecuted after drinking less than a pint of beer or glass of wine.

But Conservative transport spokeswoman Theresa Villiers said her party would not cut the drink drive limit. "We do not believe the case has been made to justify such a change. We would focus on enforcement of the current rules."

Lord Adonis, transport secretary, told the Sunday Times​ he would take such a recommendation "very seriously" and added: "A strong case has been made to have a lower limit."

Outspoken UK Independence Party MP Nigel Farage condemned the news. "This proposal will be the death of every pub in the country with no particular benefit.

"It's the Nanny State gone mad."

The change could be a further blow for rural community pubs and destination dining venues.

But any change is unlikely to take place before the next election, as a 12-week consultation period is required.

The changes would bring England and Wales into line with the rest of Europe.