The Labour government is considering a reduction in the drink-drive limit for motorists in England and Wales as part of a broader consultation on its Road Safety Strategy. The Department for Transport is evaluating stricter penalties for various offenses, including changes to the current alcohol limits for drivers.
Current Drink-Drive Limits
In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the legal limits are 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, 35 micrograms per 100ml of breath, and 107mg per 100ml of urine. In contrast, Scotland has lower limits of 50mg per 100ml of blood, 22 micrograms per 100ml of breath, and 67mg per 100ml of urine. This discrepancy has prompted the government to seek public opinion on whether England and Wales should adopt similar stricter limits.
Consultation Questions
The consultation asks drivers: "In your view, should the legal alcohol limit for drink and drive offences in England and Wales be lowered or stay the same?" It further inquires about the appropriate limit and the reasoning behind it. Additionally, it asks whether penalties should be altered if the limit is lowered.
Penalties and Family Impact
The government acknowledges that it has "listened" to families who have lost loved ones due to drink or drug driving. It has also reviewed cases where offenders remained free to drive for extended periods before their cases concluded. Families have called for powers to suspend driving licenses for those charged with death by dangerous or careless driving until their first court appearance.
According to the Department for Transport, hundreds of thousands of signatures have been gathered on petitions urging police to be granted authority to suspend licenses for individuals under investigation for the most serious road crimes. With the consultation now concluded, the government will provide feedback and updates on its plans in due course.
