'Public do not understand the drink driving limit'

The government is considering changing drink driving laws

A former traffic police officer has warned that proposed changes to drink driving laws do not go far enough.

The government is considering reducing the drink drive limit in England and Wales from 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath to 22 micrograms, which is the current level for Scotland.

But John Scruby, a former South Yorkshire Police traffic officer and now trustee of the Campaign Against Drink Driving, said the law is unclear and more education was necessary.

Justice minister Alex Davies-Jones had told BBC Breakfast this was the biggest shake up to the UK's driving laws "for decades", but stressed the proposed changes remained part of a consultation process.

The government's plans also include a ban for motorists aged over 70 years old if they fail compulsory eye tests.

Mr Scruby said the drink driving changes were "a step in the right direction" but that the government should make it clear what the limit for drinking then driving is in a way people can understand.

"We have road signs for speed, weight and height restrictions," Mr Scruby said.

"There's nowhere that says what the legal limit is and if you ask any member of the public, I'm quite sure that you'll get the answer of two pints or two units - that's wrong.

"The legal limit in England and Wales is currently 35 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

"What does that mean?"

According to the government website: "There are strict alcohol limits for drivers, but it's impossible to say exactly how many drinks this equals - it's different for each person."

Drinkaware UK, a charity focused on reducing alcohol-related harm, said "it isn't possible to work out how many units of alcohol will put you over the limit".

It adds that the amount varies from person to person, depending on:

• Your weight, age, sex and metabolism

• The type and amount of alcohol you're drinking

• What you've eaten recently

• Your stress levels at the time

Dr Katherine Severi, chief executive of think tank the Institute of Alcohol Studies, said: "We fully support potential plans to reduce the drink drive limit in England and Wales.

"Along with Northern Ireland, which has legislated to reduce its limit, we are now the only countries in Europe to have a limit this high, so it would be common sense to align with other countries, including our neighbour Scotland.

"Research shows that you are six times more likely to be involved in a crash that kills someone if you have a blood alcohol concentration of 80mg/100ml, which is the current limit in England and Wales, compared to 0mg.

"When Scotland reduced its limit in 2014, police figures showed an immediate decrease in drink drive offences.

"It also led to greater anti-drink driving sentiment and more support for the reduction.

"However, evidence also shows that changing the law alone is not necessarily enough to reduce accidents.

"What is needed alongside a lower limit are more public transport options, greater enforcement such as more breath tests, and specialist rehabilitation courses for those with mental health and alcohol problems."

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