Drink-drive legal limit may be reduced

London : Drivers caught over the alcohol limit could escape without an automatic ban under a two-tier system unveiled by ministers on Thursday.

But the legal limit will also be reduced from 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood to 50mg — meaning a single glass of wine or pint of beer would leave motorists facing prosecution.

In the biggest rethink of drink-drive law since breathalysers were introduced 42 years ago, those caught with between 50mg and 79mg in their blood would receive points on their licence or a fine instead of a ban.

The move would bring England and Wales in line with most of Europe and Scotland. Government advisers said the lower limit could save 65 lives a year.

The proposals were put forward by Transport Secretary Lord Adonis, who asked legal expert Sir Peter North to advise on tightening up rules on drug and drink-driving.

Further cut

"We need to cut further the number of tragedies on our roads. Drink-driving killed 430 people last year and research suggests drug-driving is a key concern for the public," Lord Adonis said.

Along with the two-tier drink system, Sir Peter will investigate the use of roadside testing equipment for drug-driving.

He will report his findings in March, which could see changes to the law deferred until after a general election.

Transport groups on Thursday night voiced concerns that a sliding scale of penalties would confuse the public.

The Tories said they were against more lenient punishments. Transport spokesman Theresa Villiers said: "We have yet to be convinced of the case for an across-the-board reduction in the drink-driving limit and would certainly strongly oppose any moves which would see the penalties for drink-driving reduced."

RAC (a motoring organisation) spokesman John Franklin backed lowering the limit, but said: "The two-tier penalty system will need further clarification."

— Daily Mail