Reducing the drink-drive limit 'would save lives'

Date: 24/8/2010

Road safety charity Brake has urged the government to take a zero-tolerance approach to drink driving after it was reported the coalition will not see through its plans to reduce the alcohol limit.

According to the Daily Mail, Transport Secretary Philip Hammond believes cutting the threshold would have a negative effect on rural pubs' income and would not deter the worst drink drivers.

The reduction of the drink-drive limit from 80mg per 100ml of blood to 50mg was recommended by Sir Peter North in a formal review in June.

Ellen Booth, Campaigns Officer at Brake, said the government should look at the research when considering how to respond to the report.

"The evidence is that reducing the drink-drive limit would save lives, reducing the social and economic burden of drink-drive casualties," she commented.

Consuming even a small amount of alcohol lowers drivers' ability to react to hazards, Ms Booth added.

Posted by Sarah Bailey