Despite Transport Minister Andrew Jones MP, telling the House of Commons that he will investigate the impact of lowering the drink driving limit in Scotland his Department soon after released an embarrassing statement detailing a complete reversal.
Despite the House of Lords debating a private members bill brought by the Alcohol Health Alliance and positive noises from the Minister, media and the public the Depart for Transport has released a statement saying that there will be no reduction in the drink driving limit for England and Wales.
Road safety campaigners had already urged the Government to reduce the drink driving limit from 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood to 50mg as had already been done in Scotland at the end of 2014.
Earlier in the day Andrew Jones MP has stated that he would investigate and assess the effect this reduction had had on road safety in Scotland.
Later that same day, the same Andrew Jones MP made a statement from the Department of Transport which said, “The government believes rigorous enforcement and serious penalties for drink-drivers are a more effective deterrent than changing the drink-driving limit.
“Britain continues to have some of the safest roads in the world because we crack down on those who break the law.”
It is well known that England and Wales have one of the highest drink driving limits in the whole of Europe.
Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said: “It would be a poor argument to say cut the drink-drive limit just because others have done it, but there is now plenty of data to suggest a change would have a marked improvement in road safety terms.”
Edmund King, the president of the AA, said: “It seems a sensible step to bring us into line with Scotland and the majority of European countries.
“However, it would probably be more effective for the police to target hardcore offenders who are way over the current limit as they are involved in the most deaths and injuries on the road.”
About Carl Millar
Carl Millar is a highly respected and experienced drink driving solicitor who is the principal of Millars Solicitors.
Carl has been a specialist in road traffic law for many years and represents clients from all walks of life and all over the Country. He is well known for the dogged defending of his clients and robust cross examination of police officers and exert witnesses.
With a wealth of expertise in motoring law Carl is well placed to provide advice over the phone and deal with all road traffic matters in a calm and professional way.
Getting in contact with Carl and Millars Solicitors is really easy. You can call him FREE on 0800 999 5535, or click here to send a confidential message.
