No drop in drink-drive limit, says minister

Published on Monday 6 October 2008 21:44

ROAD safety campaigners accused the UK government of backtracking yesterday, after a minister said proposals for a cut in the drink-drive limit had been dropped.

The government was considering lowering the limit from 80mg to 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, a move road safety campaigners say would discourage drivers who have one or two drinks.

Research has found cutting the limit to 50mg – effectively saying you cannot have one drink before getting behind the wheel – would prevent 65 deaths and 230 injuries a year.

The road safety minister, Jim Fitzpatrick, said a consultation document on plans to reduce drink-driving deaths would not include the reduction.

The minister said: "It will not be recommending a reduction from 80mg to 50mg. We are not convinced dropping to 50mg is the right answer."

The Scottish Government has been pushing for a reduction in the drink-drive limit.

Kenny MacAskill, the Scottish justice secretary, asked the UK government to cut the limit because road safety policy is reserved and any changes have to be introduced by Westminster, not Holyrood.