New drink-drive limit proposals backed by experts and top doctors as they push for 'sensible' changes
Prepare for some possible new drink-drive limit law changes, if new proposals from experts are to be believed.
Motoring experts and top health professionals have teamed up to try and make some 'sensible' changes to the already existing UK drink-driving laws.
The Legal Operations Director at National Accident Helpline, John Kushnick, has claimed that some new suggestions from the British Medical Association might benefit motorists in the long run.
There have already been whispers around there being some updates to England's drink-drive limit laws, with the next Government being voted in soon and all.
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Currently, the law states that the legal limit of alcohol per 100ml of blood is 80mg, which for a 70kg man is about two pints of lager - the limit is one of the highest in Europe.
It has remained unchanged since being introduced in 1967, and it has started to raise concerns about road safety - the likes of Scotland have already lowered theirs to 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood.
But it looks like the BMA are looking to follow suit, with suggestions of a 20mg limit being put in place for commercial drivers and newly qualified road users.
Kushnick explained to Express.co.uk: “Lobbying for the next government to reduce England’s drink-driving limit is a wholly positive movement.
“We’re seeing tragic consequences from people continually getting behind the wheel when they know they are over the limit.”
He further explained that accidents are caused by people who are not fit to drive, but choose to take the risk, while others overestimate how much they are really allowed to drink before inevitably going over the limit.
He continued: “The usual list of solutions such as stricter law enforcements, more robust implementation and better awareness of the rules in place can be added to the BMA suggestion of reducing the limit from 80mg to 50mg per 100ml of blood, the equivalent of a small drink.
“The BMA also go on to make the very sensible recommendation that this should be lower for new and commercial drivers, just 20mg,” he concluded.
The organisation previously warned that alcohol and drug-related deaths hit record highs in 2021 and 2022, while 17 organisations backed new proposals, some of which include road safety groups Brake and IAmRoadSmart.
The BMA also released a statement, reading: “Harm caused by alcohol and other drugs, including when driving under the influence, places an avoidable burden on individuals and our society, emergency services, the NHS, and the economy.”
Not that you should be planning to drink and drive anyway.
Topics: UK News, Health, Food And Drink
Joshua Nair