Lower drink drive limit ruled out

Tougher methods of teaching children about alcohol and tobacco are needed to combat the rise in consumption, a government advisory panel says - but a radical proposal for a new lower drink-drive limit for young adults was immediately ruled out by ministers.

Having reviewed research from across the world, a committee of doctors and scientists on the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) concluded that the success of school-based schemes was 'slight or non-existent' and could even be 'counter-productive'.

Dr Laurence Gruer, ACMD chairman, said: "We've seen over the last 10 to 12 years, particularly among young women, consumption of alcohol has virtually doubled. We are also seeing a dramatic rise in the amount of cirrhosis of the liver that's caused by chronic drinking and we are now the fastest growing country in Europe in terms of alcoholic cirrhosis."

The report said excess drinking caused widespread problems and suggested cutting the alcohol limit for drivers under 25 to reduce accidents. This would amount to reducing the legal limit from 80 to 50 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood for motorists aged 17 to 25.

Dr Gruer said it was logical to target young drivers. "Young drivers are more likely to have accidents and are also failing breath tests more frequently than older drivers."

But Transport Minister Stephen Ladyman said there were no planned changes for young drivers or anyone else.

A RoSPA spokesman said cutting the drink-drive limit to 50mg for all age groups would save 65 lives and 230 serious injuries a year on British roads. But the RAC Foundation said it would make little difference.

David Frost, LARSOA press and PR officer, said a zero limit is the only safe limit: "The UK is already out of step with many other countries where there are lower drink drive limits - but the setting of ANY limit sends out the wrong signal.

"All drivers should consider setting themselves a zero limit when they know they are going to be driving or riding, as any amount of alcohol affects your ability to drive safely. The message is clear - if you are taking the car, a zero limit is the only safe limit."

For the full story go to: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/5344310.stm

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