:: press release ::

November 17, 2008

ZERO TOLERANCE FOR DRINK DRIVING

Alastair Ross, MLA for East Antrim, has welcomed the cross-party support of his motion which proposed lowering the legal limit of alcohol when driving following today’s debate in the Assembly.

Commenting Mr Ross said, ‘To have cross-party support on this issue proves that the drink driving issue is one which has to be dealt with.

Hard-hitting advertising campaigns regarding the dangers of drink driving paint a very clear picture of the risks involved when under the influence but there are unfortunately those who still deem it acceptable to drive having had an alcoholic drink.

Although I am not usually one to want to harmonise our laws with Europe, the fact remains that the UK, Malta, Luxembourg and the Irish Republic are the only countries who currently have a higher limit set at 80mg of alcohol. Reducing this level to 50mg would bring us into line on this specific issue and make it very clear to drivers that even one drink is one too many to drive.

A zero alcohol limit is unworkable as our bodies carry alcohol already. Mouthwashes, diabetes or having a few drinks the night before can all still carry alcohol in the system so the call for zero limits cannot be enforced.

Having a lower legal limit will eradicate a supposed grey area in what is an acceptable amount and what is not. An important fact is that two people can enjoy the same amount of alcohol but have very different responses to it; lowering the limit makes it clear that whatever the alcohol intake, driving is not recommended.

The tougher penalties which many drink drivers now face is to be welcomed when we consider that a shocking 600 drivers were caught under the influence whilst driving last year.

Lowering the legal limit is not about limiting the freedom of choice to enjoy an alcoholic drink; it is about limiting and hopefully, dramatically reducing the unacceptable amount of accidents and deaths on our roads caused by the consumption of alcohol.

Even the smallest amount of alcohol can seriously affect our ability to drive and to respond to anything happening on the road. At third the legal limit both visual functions and choice reaction time are beginning to show serious impairment.

I have previously suggested further limitations on the legal limit for novice drivers which would be regulated after a period of driving experience. This was actually supported by many young drivers and further consideration should be given to this element of any drink-drive policy.

We all need to play our part in enforcing safer roads and ensuring that drink driving is simply not an option. With the support of the Assembly I hope that we will see this call for lowering the legal limit realised.’