Category Archives: drink drive

Just a quick one for you. There is a  plan afoot to reduce the Drink-Drive alcohol limit here in Northern Ireland from the current UK figure of 80mls/100mls blood to 50mls/100mls. In one of those happy coincidences, this is also the EU directed figure. (Natch) The UK Government has rejected this but the NI Minister for Nanny State, Alex Attwood, knows better. He also aims to bring in a 20mls/100mls blood for young drivers and those who drive for a living, whatever that caveat means. I’ll be debating him tomorrow morning on BBC Nolan Show. I oppose this plan on the grounds that; a/There is no empirical evidence to prove that a reduction from 80mls to 50mls would save lives. Furthermore this new low limit could criminalise an entire glass of people whose crime would be to have a glass of wine one evening and drive the next morning. 2/He seeks to grant police the power to stop anyone who is driving without having any cause for concern. In essence it is stop and search – only drivers are the target. This is an obscene power grab as far as I can see. 3/The majority of drunk drivers are WAY above the limit. In what way does reducing the limit further deal with these people?  The BMA, NICE and lobby groups such as Brake all cheer this on and demand the Coalition follow. But I disagree. Thoughts?