Save lives, safer roads, lower the drink-drive limit

Voiceover: Legislation, enforcement and stark media campaigns have combined over the last few decades to reduce the rate of drink driving incidents. 

But since 2010 the number of UK drink-driving deaths has flatlined, with 240 deaths and more than 8,000 casualties each year, costing £800 million. 

Several factors appear to be behind this trend.

England and Wales has one of the highest drink driving limits in the world. 

It’s higher than Scotland, Northern Ireland and the rest of Europe - as well as Commonwealth countries like Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

Also, attitudes to drink driving are softening.

Surveys find that nearly a third of drivers that drink admit to driving while over the legal alcohol limit, which equates to just over 10,000,000 people.

Evidence shows a lower legal limit combined with visible enforcement, tough penalties and mass media campaigns will reduce drink-driving deaths and injuries. 

An estimated minimum of 25 deaths would be avoided each year if the limit in England and Wales was reduced to 50mg.  

A lower drink-drive limit also has wide-ranging support. 

Opinion polls show 77 per cent of the public favour lowering the limit. 

Organisations, ranging from doctors and emergency services through to motoring associations and road safety charities, support the move. 

And the Bill that passed through the House of Lords in May 2016 shows they agree.

It’s time the Government took action. 

To add your voice to this campaign, please write to the Secretary of State for Transport calling for a lower drink drive limit to save lives and make our roads safer.