NEW ROAD road safety legislation announced yesterday could reduce the drink-drive limit to the equivalent of one pint of beer, or half a glass of wine.

The plans, announced by Transport Secretary Lord Adonis, could also see the implementation of a new drug-drive limit. The current drink limit is 80mg of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. Exceeding the limit incurs an automatic 12-month driving ban.

“To reduce drink and drug-driving accidents, there may be a case for further strengthening the law,” said Lord Adonis. “I have appointed Sir Peter North to provide me with independent advice on lowering the drink-drive limit and tackling drug-driving through a new offence.”

Sir Peter will report his findings to Lord Adonis by the end of March.

I think you shouldn't take in any alcohol if you intend to drive - the only problem is the blood level the morning after, and the time it takes to metabolise alcohol.

There should be more education about this.

Abstinence is the key, if you intend to take control of a vehicle and use the public roads.

It seems a bit pointless to me reducing the limit when the fuzz don't enforce the current one - except at Christmas and for the odd Summer 'crack down'. There's too much emphasis on automated enforcement and not enough on proper road policing.

The morning after is a problem and as Rossi says should be subject to more education about how long it takes for the alcohol level in the blood to fall to a legal limit.

While abstinence is the ideal, it's not always practical especially when drinking the day or night before so a zero limit is impossible for anyone who drinks at all or even those who don't.

IMO ... should be lowered to 0 ...   Any alcohol whilst driving/riding is too much.                                                                                                                                                                             

it should be zero.........zero tolerance                                                                                                                                                                             

I agree none is the only way to be sure                                                                                                                                                                               

definately.....no worries then....                                                                                                                                                                             

everybodies tolerance level is different so none would make it a fair playing field                                                                                                                                                                               

plus even if you had 1 beer then caused a accident....you would always be wondering...what if i had not had a drop, why not just ban drink driving altogether                                                                                                                                                                             

Because the body produces a certain amount of alcohol without any drink taken so 0% is impractical and would end up in teatotallers being banned. We need to enforce the existing limits properly before lowering them.                                                                                                                                                                              

does anyone know what the limits are in other european countries?   i have to agree with the majority that zero tolerance is the way to go.                                                                                                                                                                             

Cat wrote: The morning after is a problem and as Rossi says should be subject to more education about how long it takes for the alcohol level in the blood to fall to a legal limit.    education is the key, however we are all different heights, builds, men, women so how safe would even this be ?   Abstinence is definately the way to go                                                                                                                                                                             

Well I never ever drink and drive but I do enjoy having one pint to refresh my thirst in the summer. Zero tolerance as Cata quite rightly pointed out is impossible so we have a limit that's a couple of pints or less and just needs to be enforced as we're doing now. Reducing the limit to zero or thereabouts will have no effect whatsoever on drink drivers. If they know they're over the limit what difference does by how much really make?

Only my opinion of course                                                                                                                                                                              

In my opinion it just takes away the excuse of,well i thought i was under.......                                                                                                                                                                              

well said Julie                                                                                                                                                                              

Nail on the head julie but if they're over they get done no matter what the excuse. Police would never let anyone off with a load of bo**ocks like that anyway so their intention is irrelevant, they're over and thats that!

                                                                                                                                                                             

I think lots more spot checks are in order just generally, for uninsured or stolen vehicles etc.                                                                                                                                                                             

sign of the time's Julie I guess....                                                                                                                                                                             

I agree with RK.... Whats the point in lowering it if people ignore the current limit. Enforcement of the current limit should be the first priority......                                                                                                                                                                               

Surely if there is a blanket of no alcohol at all then there is no room for doubt or bravedo with the well i can drink 20 pints and still stand up straight argument