England and Wales will soon be “isolated” with the highest drink drive limit in Europe, according to the TTC Group.

The Police Federation wants the legal limit reduced from 80 to 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood to equal Scotland which cut its limits in December. While Northern Ireland is expected to come into line with Southern Ireland which has a dual limit of 50 for most drivers and 20 for professional and novice drivers.

“England, Wales and Malta will soon be the only countries in Europe with the 80 limit,” said Jenny Wynn, MD of the TTC Group, which has educated well over 100,000 convicted drink drivers since the early 1990s.

“It can’t be right that you can be under the drink drive limit on the English side of the border with Scotland but over on the Scottish side. Everyone should have the same drink drive limit,” said Wynn, who was asked to explain the limits to members of the Northern Ireland Assembly at Stormont which is expected to introduce the reduction in Northern Ireland.

She said that Assembly members were “quite shocked” by how much alcohol could be drunk to reach 80mgs. They are also considering introducing a 20mg limit for taxi, lorry and bus drivers, as well as for new drivers, after being concerned that a man can still drink “a fair amount” of more than a pint of beer or just over a glass of wine to hit the 50 limit.

“The UK is isolated and must recognise the importance of boundaries with neighbouring regions and be consistent in its approach to the drink drive laws,” said Wynn, a pioneer of drink drive education.

She also joined the call for women to be made more aware about how their alcohol limits differed after it was revealed that men are changing their drinking habits while female drink drive convictions are not falling.

“Women can drink a lot less alcohol before reaching the drink drive  limit than men  because of the difference in body fat and water, between the sexes. But we want to get over the message that people should not drink at all if they are going to drive,” she added.

A drink driver who was caught by police after crashing her car into a ditch when she drank six pints said she had learned a lot about alcohol on the rehabilitation course.

“I hadn’t intended to drive and cannot remember even getting into the car. I am normally quite sensible but this was a big life changer,” said Sophie Lloyd, who was banned for 18 months.

Her alcohol reading was so high that she was categorised as a High Risk Offender and will have to pass a medical and retake her driving test before being allowed back on the road.

“I’ve cried when I’ve thought about what I did. It was a stupid thing to do and I feel very guilty. Drink driving means you go to court and get a criminal record. I’m so lucky no-one was hurt. 

“It has cost me about £5,000 in fines, transport costs, and medical charges. My insurance will go up to £1,000 a year which is difficult to afford. I’m also nervous about taking the driving test again.

Lloyd added: “You get cabin fever and it means you can’t go out of the house. I can’t take my child out. Your social life goes down the drain. 

“I learned a lot on the course and women should really be aware about how much they drink.”

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