Charity urges action on drink-drive limit
Thursday, 7 August 2008 12:00 AM
Campaigners want the legal drink-drive limit reduced significantly, to put it in line with other EU countries
Research conducted by the Brake charity and insurer Green Flag has demonstrated that 59 per cent of male and 42 per cent of female drivers drive after drinking alcohol.
Brake is now urging the government to reduce the the drink-drive limit from 80 mg to 20 mg per 100 ml of blood.
The charity also wants it explained to drivers that drinking no alcohol at all is the only safe option.
Part of the problem lies with the current 'high' drink-drive limit and confusion over what is 'safe to drink'. Women are, the statistics say, less likely to take the risk, but the numbers are rising.
European Union limits are 50 mg per 100 ml of blood, which is, of course, lower than the UK's limit.
Several countries - Poland, Sweden, Norway - have reduced their limits to 20 mg.
Road safety experts in the UK have urged the government to reduce the limit, backed up by Scottish justice secretary, Kenny MacAskill, who has asked transport minister, Ruth Kelly, to reduce the limit to 50 mg.
A consultation paper on drink-driving has been promised by the government, but it has not yet announced when it will be published.
On average, there are 200 to 300 road deaths every year linked to blood alcohol levels between 10 and 80 mg per 100 ml of blood.
