Drink-drive figures prompt calls for tougher action

Despite a slight drop in the number of people caught drink-driving in England and Wales in the 2006 festive period, three safety organisations have issued calls for tougher Government action.

9,658 (6.6%) of the 145,867 drivers tested during December 2006 were over the limit, compared with 6.9% in December 2005.

LARSOA backed ACPO's call for the drink drive limit to be lowered so that motorists cannot legally drink and drive. The current limit is 80mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood but LARSOA believes this should be lowered to 50mg.

Simon Ettinghausen, chair of LARSOA, says: "We believe the Government could really make an impact by lowering the legal limit and it is great to see ACPO agreeing and being so pro-active. Lowering the legal limit would send out a clear, strong message that it is totally unacceptable to put lives at risk by driving under the influence of alcohol."

Meredydd Hughes, ACPO's lead on road policing, said the number of breath tests carried out had increased by almost 10% during 'the most productive drink-drive campaign to date'. "The drink-drivers arrested will be brought to justice and could face disqualification, a fine or imprisonment as a result of their choice to drink and drive," he said.

Duncan Vernon, RSO for RoSPA, echoed the call for a reduction in the limit. "Reducing the limit from 80mg to 50mg would save around 65 lives and 230 serious injuries on Britain's roads each year. This reduction would give the opportunity for a new education campaign to point out the seriousness of drinking and driving, particularly addressing the worrying problem of the young drivers who apparently have not been getting the message."

Sarah Fatica, general manager of Brake, says the Government's drink and drug driving message 'is not getting through'. "It is high time the Government invested funds in a year-round TV campaign. We also need to toughen up measures to catch drink and drug drivers."

For the full story about the festive drink drive figures go to: http://news.bbc.co.uk/

Click here to read the full LARSOA press release.

11.12.06 - LARSOA says 'lower the limit'...

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