Brake, the road safety charity, is calling on drivers to stay sober if driving over the Christmas period – not a drop, not a drag – or plan to get home by taxi or public transport, to prevent devastating casualties.
The call comes as the Association of Chief Police Officers’ and Police Scotland’s annual drink and drug driving enforcement campaign kicks off.
The month long campaign sees forces across the UK stepping up checks to catch drivers risking lives. It’s been given renewed impetus as a new, lower drink drive limit comes into force in Scotland, from December 5.
Latest available figures, from 2012, show that 230 people were killed (one in eight road deaths) and 1,210 were seriously injured in crashes involving someone over the limit.
It’s estimated a further 65 deaths are caused annually by drivers who have been drinking but are under the limit. Drug driving is estimated to cause 200 deaths each year.
Brake is renewing calls for a zero tolerance drink drive limit of 20mg alcohol per 100ml of blood, in line with evidence that even one drink dramatically increases crash risk, and to send a clear message it should be none for the road.
A blood alcohol level of 20-50mg increases your likelihood of crashing three-fold, says Brake.
Julie Townsend, deputy chief executive of Brake, said: “We are calling on the UK Government to take action on drink driving.
“We have the highest drink-drive limit in Europe, sending out the dreadful message that a drink or two before driving is acceptable.
“We welcome the new lower limit in Scotland as a positive stepping stone towards zero tolerance. The evidence shows that a tough approach helps prevent casualties.”
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