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Government launches Christmas drink-drive campaign

03/12/2009

The transport secretary has announced that he is considering changes to the law on drink- and drug-driving, as he launches the Government's Christmas drink-drive campaign.

Although it is illegal under current laws to drive while unfit through drink or drugs, Lord Adonis said that he had appointed an independent legal expert to examine whether strengthening the law might reduce the number of accidents involving their use.

Among the mooted changes is a new offence that would make it illegal to drive with certain named drugs present above certain blood concentrations. While there is an existing alcohol limit of 80 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood, there is currently no clearly-defined legal limit for drug-driving.

Meanwhile, for drink-driving, possible changes could include lowering the legal alcohol limit, or introducing a lower limit and revising the penalty system. Driving under the influence of drugs or above the legal alcohol limit is currently punishable by a driving ban of at least 12 months, six months in prison and a fine of up to £5,000.

Commenting on his appointment, Sir Peter North - who conducted the review of traffic law which led to the Road Traffic Act 1991 - said that he intended to consult widely on the legal and practical issues involved, before providing advice by the end of March 2010.

"The challenge is to see whether changes in the law and its processes can reduce casualties," he added.

The Christmas THINK! Campaign, which supports a month-long police crackdown, aims to publicise the dangers of - and penalties for - drink-driving. Provisional data shows that last year 430 people in Britain lost their lives through drink-driving - up from 410 in 2007.

The campaign's "Driver Friendly" initiative will make free soft drinks available to designated drivers in more than 8,000 pubs.

Meanwhile, the Institute of Advanced Motorists has called for a seasonal amnesty on penalties for cars left overnight in railway car parks, hoping that this would dissuade commuters from "chancing the drive home from the train after post-work drinks".

Head of road safety Kevin Delaney said: "Drivers can be more tempted to drink over the Christmas period than at any other time of year, and reassuring commuters that their car will not be clamped or fined when they retrieve it the next morning will help avoid risk-taking behaviour."

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