Relief for rural pubs as Government opts not to lower drink-driving limit

21 March 2011 by
Relief for rural pubs as Government opts not to lower drink-driving limit

Rural pubs will be breathing a sigh of relief after the Government decided against lowering the prescribed alcohol limit for driving.

The decision is part of the Government's response to last year's North Report on Drink and Drug Driving, which recommended dropping the drink-driving limit from 80mg in 100ml of blood to 50mg.

Transport Secretary Philip Hammond said greater enforcement would be a more effective approach than lowering the limit.

Pub industry figures warned last year that a reduction in the limit could harm rural destination pubs, many of whose customers drive to get there, and highlighted the fact that Britain already has one of the lowest rates of drink-driving related deaths in Europe.

Hammond said: "The number of drink-driving deaths has fallen by more than 75% since 1979. But drink-driving still kills hundreds of people so we need to take tough action against the small minority of drivers who flagrantly ignore the limit. Their behaviour is entrenched and after careful consideration we have concluded that improving enforcement is likely to have more impact on these dangerous people than lowering the limit.

"We are therefore taking forward a package of measures which will streamline enforcement, helping the police to target these most dangerous offenders and protect law-abiding road users."

Pub industry opposes reduction in drink-driving limit >>

By Neil Gerrard

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