by Joe Jeffrey
More call for lowering drink-drive limit as festive season begins
Almost seventy per cent of people would like to see the legal drink-drive limit reduced across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, to the same level of that implemented in Scotland, according to a survey by the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM).
The survey of 2,437 visitors to the IAM website, which took place during November 2015, also found that almost half would like the police to be given more power to stop any driver and request a random breath test.
As well as supporting a reduction in the limit, many of those surveyed highlighted the want for more of a festive focus on the issue of drink driving, answering that seasonal Christmas drink-drive campaigns should always be made a priority by the police. Perhaps surprisingly, the success of this approach is demonstrated by existing research from the Department for Transport which shows that the number of people convicted of drink driving falls in December despite more people being tested over the festive period.
Following on from lowering the legal alcohol limit in Scotland from 80 to 50 milligrams of alcohol in 100ml of blood in December 2014, Police Scotland confirmed they saw a 19 per cent reduction in drivers prosecuted for being under the influence of alcohol over the festive period, compared with the same period the previous year.
As Scottish drink-drive numbers continue to fall, with a corresponding reduction in alcohol-related accidents, the IAM’s chief executive officer, Sarah Sillars said: “While the police double their efforts in reducing the number of drink-drive incidents during this time of year, it’s important that we look to a solution that can make a positive change over the long-term.
“Many of our survey participants would like to see stricter laws introduced, in order to discourage those who continue to risk one or two drinks when driving. The IAM welcomed the adoption of lower limits in Scotland last year and this change seems to be successfully reinforcing the message that we should all make it none for the road. Christmas is a time when people are more conscious of the risk of drink-driving and the IAM supports campaigns which makes the non-drinker the hero on a night out, so that everyone stays safe.”
