New drink-drive limit proposed: just one pint and you're over

Transport Secretary Philip Hammond today opened the way for a dramatic reduction in the drink-drive limit to the equivalent of a pint of beer.

Another major change could be for the police to be given the power to carry out random breath tests.

The new limit, down from the current 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood to 50mg, would put Britain in line with many other European countries, including Germany, France, Holland, Spain and Italy. Before the election the Conservatives opposed any reductions on the limit.

But sources revealed Mr Hammond is considering a change after an authoritative report found that a lower limit could save up to 300 lives a year.

He is also under pressure from the Liberal Democrats who have backed calls to reduce the limit, which was introduced 43 years ago. But the Government will face fierce lobbying from the drinks industry, particularly rural pubs, who fear they would be hit by a change in the law.

Road safety campaigners will launch a counter campaign, highlighting the hundreds of lives lost caused by drink-drive accidents.

Today's report by Sir Peter North, which was commissioned by Labour, found that up to 168 lives could be saved in the first year of reducing the limit — rising to 303 by the sixth year. The study proposes that the 12-month ban should be maintained for the new 50mg limit.

In an interview with the Standard last month, Mr Hammond defended the current drink-drive limit which shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers vowed, before the election, not to change. But today's report will strengthen the case of campaigners demanding a lower limit. Mr Hammond made it clear he wanted more time to reflect on the report's 51 recommendations. Kevin Clinton, of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, said: "We urge the Government to implement Sir Peter's recommendations."