Zero road limit call as booze-linked deaths reach a 10-year high
CAMPAIGNERS are calling for a zero tolerance drink-drive limit as road deaths related to alcohol hit a 10-year high.
Transport officials estimate 290 people died in crashes in 2017 when at least one driver was over the current limit – up from 230 in 2016 and 26 per cent higher than the death toll in 2009.
Statistics show the total number of crashes involving at least one over-the-limit driver fell by six per cent to 5,730.
Fearing
A major factor in the number of drink-drive deaths is a drastic reduction in the number of traffic police – down a third in a decade to 2,700 in 2017.
Ministers are considering increasing the maximum sentence for causing death by dangerous or careless driving while under the influence of drink or drugs to life in jail. The current maximum is 14 years.
Josh Harris of road safety campaign group Brake said: “Our current drink-drive limit gives
a false impression that it is acceptable to mix alcohol and driving.
“Even very small amounts of alcohol dramatically affect your ability to drive safely.
“Decisive action is needed and we are calling for the Government to implement an effective zero tolerance drink-drive limit, making clear to drivers that not a drop of alcohol is safe.”
England and Wales has the highest drink-drive limit in Europe at 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood.
In Scotland it is 50mg of alcohol in every 100ml of blood.
Mr Harris said: “Whilst it’s encouraging that the total number of crashes involving a drink-driver appears to have fallen, it is worrying that the estimated number of people killed continues to increase.
“We have to ask how many more lives must be lost for the Government to act on drink-driving.”
Provisional Department for Transport estimates say between 240 and 330 people were killed in accidents in Britain in 2017.
RAC research showed that last year 12 per cent of people got behind the wheel knowing or fearing they were over the limit – up from eight per cent in 2017.