Lowering current drink-drive limit could prevent deaths, study finds

Reducing legal blood alcohol concentration limit to 50mg/100ml has proved effective in Europe.

A study by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has found that lowering the current drink-drive limit could prevent some road deaths and injuries.

In the first year, up to 168 deaths could be prevented.

The current legal blood alcohol concentration limit for drivers in the UK is 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood.

The introduction of a 50mg/100ml limit in 15 European countries collectively led to 11.5 per cent fewer alcohol-related driving deaths among 18 to 25 year olds – the age group most at risk of being involved in an accident.

In Australia’s Queensland the measure led to 18 per cent fewer deaths on the roads.

The British Medical Association has already called for a reduction in the drink drive limit as there is clear evidence that a drivers’ reaction times and motoring skills deteriorate after even a small amount of alcohol, and gets worse with increased alcohol consumption.

The study has been carried out on behalf of the Department for Transport and the findings will be considered as part of the Department’s review of drink and drug driving law led by Sir Peter North.

North also recommends that police be given greater powers to check for drink drivers and that drink drive procedures are streamlined, to increase police time on the roads.  However, he decides against specifically targeting young people or professional drivers.

North said: “Having considered the issues carefully and considered views from all quarters, I not only believe that it is right to reduce the limit, but that the public is ready for a lower limit. It is time to give them what they want.”

"Surveys also tell us that the public is in favour of lengthy bans for drink drivers and witnesses have told me that the current ban is the major deterrent to drink driving”

Further information:
NICE
North Review of Drink and Drug Driving Law