The Transport Select Committee has called for a change in the drink-driving law that would, effectively, penalize anyone driving after as little as a single drink. Recognizing that the reduction of the limit to 20 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood would create a zero drinking policy, they acknowledge that the move is not possible in one step, but endorse it as an ultimate goal.
Some people in government feel that stronger enforcement of current laws are a better way to approach the matter with Conservatives stating that they aren’t minded to reduce the limit.
The hospitality industry has raised alarm that if such a limit as proposed by the Transport Select Committee were adopted, it would put rural inns and pubs out of business.
The committee says that it is not prepared to accept that anyone would be driven out of business. They say that the drink-driving laws were threatened by such a prediction when they first came into existence back in the 1960s, but the industry adjusted and prospered despite those forecasts.
The MPs requested an overall strengthening of current laws for enforcement, such as allowing roadblocks to test every vehicle. They also requested that roadside testing for drugs be implemented as soon as feasible, citing other countries where this has been done successfully.
One Transport Safety official said that the time for vague words was over and the government should take immediate and unequivocal action against drink-driving and drug-driving.
The Transport Select Committee said it endorses enforcement of a zero tolerance drink-driving and drug-driving limit by the year 2015.
The Transport Secretary said that the proposal will be taken under advisement and reported on in the New Year.
