Zero Drink and Drug Driving Campaign

Back in March we reported that various companies and charities were on the crack down for drink and drug driving - this week The North Report, who are commissioned by the government recommended that the UK drink drive limit should be reduced.


The North Report has recommended that alcohol should be cut to 50mg per 100ml blood, this is the maximum limit recommend by European Commission. The current limit is 80mg per 100ml blood.


The IAM (Institute of Advance Motoring), RoSPA (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) and the AA all support the new recommendation of the new limits.


Kevin Clinton, head of road safety at RoSPA, said:


“In our evidence to the North Review we strongly stated that the drink-drive limit should be reduced to 50mg, a key RoSPA campaign for many years.”


Neil Greig, IAM Director said:


“Authorities should be aware that, should it pass into law, a new limit will make little difference to casualty figures without proper enforcement. Already stretched front line police may end up pursuing lower risk drivers, leaving less time to catch those who blatantly ignore any limit.” he added


“A lower limit will hopefully make many more drivers think twice about drinking at all before getting behind the wheel. Drivers will also be more likely to get caught the morning after, but only if sufficient police are out there enforcing the law…Many repeat offenders think they’re invincible, and ultimately it is fear of being caught that will eradicate drink driving rather than stronger penalties.”


Following are the new recommendations by The North Report.


Drink Driving

• Lowering of drink drive limit to 50mg/100ml
  
• Review 20mg limit for new drivers after 5 years
  
• Maintain a 12 month ban at 50mg
  
• Target cars of high risk offenders
  
• Deployment of portable evidential breath testing equipment
  
• Higher policing priority
  
• 79% AA members support random breath tests

• Coroners should test for drugs in all fatalities
  
• Voluntary roadside saliva tests
  
• Greater use of Field Impairment tests (FIT) and training
  
• Drug driving to be made an “offence brought to justice”
  
• Speed up the process with use of nurses rather than forensic physicians
  
• Look to type approval of police station drug screening kits
  
• Look to a specific offence of driving with certain controlled drugs at levels deemed impairing
  
• On legal drugs better NHS training and clearer labelling

17-Jun-2010
« Back to articles