A senior trade figure has played down claims the industry is more interested in "economics" than saving people's lives in the debate over drink-driving laws.
During an evidence session of the Transport committee in Parliament today, MP Tom Harris, claimed the industry was often seen as the "bad guys" on the issue, "sometimes unfairly", because it was more concerned with economics than people's safety.
"The big issue is how to reduce the number of people killed on the road through drink-driving," he said.
"You are not singing from the same hymn sheet as everyone else on this."
But Brigid Simmonds, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, responded: "We are very concerned about people's lives.
"We are in very much favour of random breath testing and targeted, more rigorous, enforcement and higher visibility."
The committee is conducting an inquiry into recommendations made by Sir Peter North, which include lowering the drink-drive limit to 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood.
But Simmonds argued cutting the drink-drive limit would cause confusion among drivers and have a "catastrophic" impact on pubs.
She admitted it was a "hugely sensitive subject", but added: "The system we have is one that people understand."
On cutting the limit, Simmonds said: "I would fear how the public would react, if you can't have a drink when you go out… that would have a catastrophic effect on our business."
Stephen Oliver, managing director of Marston's Beer Company, told MPs all rural pubs were dependent on people who drive to them.
But he argued lowering the limit would have little effect on "hard-nosed" offenders and instead "net a whole group of people who will be criminalised".
However he admitted the trade could do more to promote the designated driver scheme.
Nick Bish, chief executive of the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers, said the industry was "engaged" in the debate and understood that "one death is too many".
He said the message should be "don't drink and drive". But he added: "We should acknowledge there is more to do in deterrent and enforcement."
Simmonds agreed that the message should be not to drink and drive, but added: "People go to the pub for a fun night out, not to be told things."
She previously pointed out that 70 per cent of all drinking was now done in the off-trade.
Giving evidence earlier, representatives from the British Medical Association and National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) backed a move to reduce the limit to 50mg.
The BMA's Dr Hamish Meldrum said it would be a "substantial improvement" and had no doubt it would save "many lives".