Britons back lower drink driving limit

Source: The Spirits Business

by Nicola Carruthers

20th September, 2016

More than three quarters of the British public believe the current legal drink-drive limit should be reduced, while the “majority” support an introduction of minimum unit pricing, according to new research.

A study, commissioned by Public Health England, showed that there is strong public support for strengthening drink-driving laws, and for tighter government regulation of alcohol in some areas.

77% of people were in favour of the law being changed so drivers cannot legally consume as much alcohol before getting behind the wheel, according to the research.

The Public Health England study is part of the British Social Attitudes Survey of more than 2,000 adults, which found more than half disagree with the assertion that “whatever the law says, most people are safe to drive after a pint of beer”.

The drink drive limit is the number of milligrams (mg) of alcohol per 100ml of blood, which is currently capped at 80mg per 100ml of blood – the highest legal limit in the EU.

In 2014, Scotland reduced its legal drink drive limit to 50mg/100ml, which more than halved the number of drink drivers by January 2015.

The study also found that the “majority” of those questioned support for the introduction of a minimum unit pricing (MUP) policy in the UK.

According to Public Heath England, less than one-third of “increasing-risk drinkers” support the idea, compared with over half of ‘lower-risk drinkers’ and non drinkers.

46% of those questioned thought that MUP would be effective in reducing young people’s drinking, while 36% said they felt MUP would be effective in reducing heavy drinking.

In December 2015, a European court ruled that Scottish government proposals to introduce an MUP policy breach EU trade laws.