A poll conducted for car leasing company Flexed.co.uk found that almost half are now favouring a zero tolerance approach, where even a single alcoholic drink could render a driver unfit to drive.
With the current limit set at 35 micrograms of alcohol for every 100 millilitres of breath in England, drivers want to see the limit reduced to at least 22 micrograms to match new Scottish limits, or even bring it down to zero, the survey found.
Flexed.co.uk asked almost 3,900 drivers in England and Wales for their opinions on drink-drive limits, and found:
- 23% wanted the limit to stay as it is
- 31% want the limit to be reduced to match the lower Scottish threshold
- 46% want to see the drink-drive limit reduced to zero
Police forces in England and Wales say that – in general – the number of drivers caught drinking and driving fell over the recent Christmas period. And the latest government statistics show that drink drive deaths are at their lowest level since records began.
In its recent trading update, Greene King said its sales in Scotland had been affected by the new drink-driving law.
Tough
Drivers also support harsher limits and tougher punishments.
- 5% thought punishments for drink-drivers were too harsh
- 31% thought punishments for drink-drivers were about right
- 66% thought courts should be able to impose more serious punishments on drink-drivers
In fact, some respondents thought that drivers over a certain reading, or those who are repeat offenders, should face an immediate custodial sentence.
Flexed.co.uk’s Mark Hall says reducing drink-drive limits would bring England and Wales into line with Europe where stricter limits already apply.
“A zero tolerance policy wouldn't be unusual – some countries already have that in law, and we'd be setting a fantastic example by joining them. It's a national problem. Scotland has led the way, but we need a national solution.”