The drink-drive limit in England and Wales could be reduced after a major government report suggests action is needed to lower the number of incidents. The report, carried out by the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS), cites the fact that an average of 240 people a year have been killed in accidents involving drink-drivers since 2010. It recommends the limit be cut from 80mg/100ml of blood to 50mg/100ml, and to 0mg for those who have recently passed their test.
In Scotland the limit is already 50mg/100ml, as well as most other European countries. If the limit is reduced for England and Wales it will be the first time since 1967 it has been changed.
The PACT report also says the coronavirus pandemic has led to an increase in people suffering from alcohol and mental health issues and calls for rehabilitation programmes to be made available for those affected. It also suggests drivers might feel like they are less likely to get caught drink-driving due to a 63% drop in police enforcement since 2009. It wants tougher penalties for those caught combining drugs with alcohol while driving.
David Davies, executive director of PACTS, said: “Drink driving is often cited as a road safety success story, yet it remains a major killer and progress has ground to a halt since 2010. Not only is better enforcement important but also the problems of mental health and alcohol dependency need to be recognised.”
“The legal limit should be reduced in England and Wales, police should be given additional powers to test drivers, and the growing danger of combining drink and drugs driving needs to be addressed.
Keyword: Drink-drive limit should be lowered, government told