Bedford Driving Lessons

Lower drink-drive limits and new drug-drive ceilings may be imposed under a review of road safety unveiled today. The Government appointed a legal expert, Sir Peter North, to advise on the case for tighter alcohol restrictions as well as a possible toughening of the laws on drug-driving. At present, drivers must have no more than 80mg of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, but road safety campaigners have argued that a lower limit of 50mg could help reduce fatalities on the roads. The current limit is approximately equivalent to two pints of normal strength beer for most men. Sir Peter will consider this proposal and will also recommend whether or not the Government should introduce a graded system of penalties for drink drivers. At present, anyone caught driving over the 80mg limit faces an automatic 12-month ban. The review will consider whether people who exceed a new lower limit should be spared an automatic driving ban. Although it is currently illegal to drive while impaired under the influence of drugs, he will consider whether or not the Government should introduce new drug-driving limits. “Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs still leads to a large number of deaths and serious injuries. The challenge is to see whether changes in the law and its processes can reduce casualties,” Sir Peter said. More