Sammy Wilson calls for lower drink driving limits

Environment Minister Sammy Wilson today signalled he would favour a more stringent approach to tackling drink driving.

The Minister told a Northern Ireland Assembly debate he was considering lowering permitted alcohol levels for most drivers from 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood to 50mg.

However he also revealed he would consult members of the public on plans for an even lower limit of 20mg for learner and novice drivers and also professional drivers.

Mr Wilson told the Assembly: "The drink driving culture has changed - but not enough. Too many people seem to think that it is still possible to have a few drinks and then drive home safely. But over the past five years, around 20% of all road deaths and serious injuries have been linked to alcohol or drugs, mainly alcohol.

"That works out at an average of about 25 deaths and 120 serious injuries every year. That is not on, and I intend to do something about it."

The Minister confirmed he intended to issue a public consultation document on the issue before Christmas.

The cut in the alcohol limit from 80mg per 100ml of blood to 50mg would bring Northern Ireland into line with the majority of countries in Europe.

Mr Wilson said: "In the hands of a drink driver, a bus or a lorry is a deadly weapon, and we need to do everything possible to ensure that professional drivers understand the full weight of the responsibility they carry."

The proposed lower limit would also apply to learner and novice drivers.

The Minister added: "The evidence shows that alcohol has a greater impact on young drivers.

"In addition, it is often not clear how much alcohol there actually is in a drink. The alcohol content of many drinks has increased and in some cases drinks are served in bigger glasses.

"At 20mg even one drink would put most people over the limit. My proposals would prevent them from having to decide how much to drink. The only choice they would have would be whether to drink or drive - they could not do both."

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