The Association of Police and Crime Commissioners’ (APCC) has joined the call for a reduction in the legal blood alcohol limit for drivers.
England, Wales, and Northern Ireland currently have the highest legal BAC (blood alcohol content) limit for driving in Europe, at 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood.
The Scottish limit was lowered to 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood in December 2014.
The APCC’s road policing and addictions and substance misuse leads are jointly backing the British Medical Association’s (BMA) call for a lower drink drive limit.
In June 2024, the BMA recently produced a consensus statement representing the views of a range of organisations including medical professional bodies, alcohol and road safety charities and campaign groups, along with police and emergency services.
The statement outlines why they are in favour of reducing the amount of alcohol drivers can consume, alongside evidence showing that even small amounts of alcohol can impair driving ability, significantly increasing the risk of accidents.
Joy Allen and David Sidwick, APCC addictions and substance misuse leads, and Sarah Taylor and Marc Jones, APCC roads policing leads, said: “Too many families have been devastated by the consequences of drink driving, with around 300 people dying each year in collisions where a driver is over the limit.
“Even minimal alcohol consumption can significantly impair a driver’s judgment and their ability to react quickly. If we are to save lives and make our roads safer for everyone, we must get across the message that any amount of alcohol before driving is dangerous.
“By supporting the BMA’s call for a lowering of the legal blood alcohol limit for driving, we are sending a clear message: If you drink, don’t drive. We are determined, through collaboration with law enforcement partners, medical professionals, and public safety campaigns, to reduce alcohol-related harm on the roads due to the actions of dangerous and irresponsible drivers.”
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