Drink-drive law could force rural pubs to close

Reducing the drink-drive limit could force a number of rural pubs to close.

That was the message from trade chiefs to MPs on the Transport Committee that are examing calls for a reduction of 80 to 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood.

Marston's Beer Company managing director Stephen Oliver said a lower limit combined with "economic pressure could tip a number of pubs into a position where they effectively fail".

In response to claims that more pubs now rely on food for profit, Oliver answered: "Food is very much an important part of what we offer, but there are still many pubs that rely on drink for turnover, including rural pubs."

He said that lowering the limit would mean "consumers would think very carefully about going for a drink".

British Beer and Pub Association chief Brigid Simmonds said 10% of pub-goers still drive to their pubs.

"The concern is that people do still drive to rural and semi-rural pubs," said Simmonds.

Simmonds agreed that the "fear" is that people would react to a lower limit by not going out for a drink at all.

She also questioned whether the change would "undermine" people's current understanding of how much they can legally drink and drive, and questioned whether a change in the law would change behaviour.

In response to accusations that the industry is "on a different page" with a lack of concern for drink-related deaths, Simmonds said: "We are very concerned about people's lives." She said the "next plausible step" would be random breathalysing, which they are "very much in favour" of.

The call for reducing the drink-drive limit comes in an influencial report from Sir Peter North, commissioned by the previous Government.

"I am not disputing the North report," said Simmonds. "I am talking about whether public opinion and behaviour would support the change."

Association of Licensed Mutliple Retailers chief executive Nick Bish and Simmonds both backed a 'don't drink and drive' policy.

However, Simmonds said: "There is a difference between what we say and how people behave."