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Lower the limit - RoSPA and RSOs agree

RoSPA has urged the government to replace the current drink-drive limit with a lower one - because too many motorists think it is safe to try to drink up to it.

And an informal survey conducted among road safety professionals on this website indicates that the vast majority share RoSPA's views.

Kevin Clinton, RoSPA head of road safety, said: "300 people caught each day in December shows far too many think they can get away with drinking and driving.  

"They believe the current legal limit of 80mg is a safe one and it is not. We want to see the limit reduced to 50mg, because between 50mg and 80mg you are two to two-and-a-half time more likely to be involved in an accident and six times more likely to be in a fatal crash than with no alcohol in your system."

Britain is one of only four countries out of 15 in the EU with a level above 50mg.

The snapshot survey on the LARSOA website conducted last week shows that 90% of respondents support a reduction to 50mg, and 64% would go further and reduce the limit to 'zero'.

The government has resisted calls to reduce the limit, but RoSPA believes that latest figures are yet more evidence that something has to be done to prevent innocent lives from being lost. The Society also wants police to be given powers to breath test anywhere and at any time, and hopes the government will use the Road Safety Bill (currently before Parliament) to make these changes.