Make Scotland's roads safer - reduce drink-driving limit, says BMA

The British Medical Association (BMA) is today (17 December 2004) calling1 on the Government to reduce the blood alcohol
concentration (BAC) level for driving from 80mg to 50mg per 100ml2. It has been estimated that a reduction to 50mg will
prevent around 50 drink-drive related deaths every year in Great Britain.


Drink driving continues to be a hazard on Scotland's roads. In 2002, there were 820 accidents involving drink drivers, 40 of
these were fatal. In Scotland, more than 1,200 casualties were caused by drink driving, an increase of 3% in the last 10
years (1992 - 2002)4.


At the beginning of the New Year, The Road Safety Bill (Great Britain only) is due to have its second reading and, although
it contains some positive measures5 to enforce the law, there is no provision to reduce the BAC level.


The BMA is urging the Government to use this opportunity to save lives and not leave the drink-driving limit at 80mg. The
Association would also like to see provision in the Bill to allow the police to carry out roadside random breath tests6. This
measure is a vital element in deterring people from drinking and driving.


Scientific evidence from around the world has agreed that when a person's alcohol level is over 50mg their driving is
impaired. Every year drink-driving causes around 560 deaths and 2,820 serious injuries7 in Great Britain.


Dr Bill O'Neill, Scottish Secretary of the BMA, said today:


"There is scope for change in Scotland's relationship with alcohol. A culture of sensible drinking would bring benefits for
health. This initiative, validated by science and evidence, tackles one important aspect of excessive drinking.


"Sadly, drink driving continues to be a health risk on Scotland's roads. Although it is the season to be merry, it is also a
time to be sensible. Enjoy the Festive Season but don't drink and drive."


Dr Vivienne Nathanson, the BMA's Head of Science and Ethics, added:


"It's too late to change the law for this Christmas but let's make future seasons of goodwill safer for everyone.


"While the BMA believes that a further reduction in blood alcohol concentration levels will prevent deaths and reduce the
number of lives ruined, our overall message to drivers is 'don't drink when you drive'.


"The introduction of the current limit, backed up by police enforcement and TV and media education campaigns, led to a
dramatic fall in the number of deaths on the road, but over the past few years, deaths and serious injuries from
drink-driving have increased. We need a new impetus to reduce the toll of death and injury."


The BMA is not suggesting a zero limit because there will be cases where an individual would register slightly above zero
even when they had not been drinking (diabetes and the use of mouthwash can both cause an above-zero level).















The BMA doubts whether an absolute zero would be enforceable and acceptable to the public but argues that a 50mg level, which
would bring the UK into line with most other European countries7, would be effective and beneficial.


Ends


Notes to editors:


1.The BMA has been calling for a reduction in BAC limit since 1990.


2 Currently the legal limit for BAC for driving is 80 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood.


3 paragraph 4.19, Tomorrow's Roads: safer for everyone, Department of Transport, April 2004


4 Road Accidents Scotland 2003: Scottish Executive National Statistics


5 The Bill gives powers to enable the Secretary of State to require the worst offenders to re-take their driving test. The
Bill also amends the current drink drive rehabilitation scheme to improve take-up and introduces pilot schemes for alcohol
ignition lock devices which require a driver to pass a breath test before the engine will start.


6 The police do not have express powers to carry out targeted breath testing. At present the police can only carry out a
test if there has been a road traffic offence, an accident or if they suspect that the driver has been drinking. Random
breath testing would enable the police to breathylise people driving at locations where it is reasonable to assume an amount
of drinking may have taken place, eg near a pub.


7 Road Casualties in Great Britain 2003: Annual Report, Department for Transport, September 2004


8 The following European countries have limits of 50mg or lower: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland,
France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Slovenia,
Spain, Sweden. Cyprus is in process of reducing to 50mg. Only UK, Ireland and Luxembourg remain at 80mg.


Please contact the BMA Scotland Press Office for the BMA brief on
drink-driving.


For more information please contact:

Scottish Press Office

Tel: 0131 247 3050/3052 Mobile: 07979 510421

Fax: 0131 247 3051

Email: press.scotlandbma

BMA Scottish Office

14 Queen Street

Edinburgh

EH2 1LL

Tel: (0131) 247 3000

Fax: (0131) 247 3001

email: info.edinburghbma

Web: bma/scotland

After 6.00 pm and weekends:

07979 510421