Minister says reducing drink-drive restrict is ‘obligation’ to save lots of lives after pub backlash
Transport minister Lilian Greenwood said ‘enough is enough’ as she defended plans to cut the drink-drive limit – saying it is the Government’s duty to stop preventable deaths
A Labour minister has said “enough is enough” as she defended plans to cut the drink-drive limit.
Lilian Greenwood said she had been affected by harrowing conversations with families who lost loved ones in car crashes. A new strategy, set to be published today, proposes reducing the amount people can legally drink before getting behind the wheel.
The move, which would affect England and Wales, would bring it in line with Scotland and many other European countries. Transport minister Ms Greenwood told Sky News: “If you’re going to drive, don’t have a drink.
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“If you want to have a drink, leave your car at home. We want to send that very clear message. You heard just there from from some people who’ve suffered the loss of a loved one.
“And I’ve sat down with numerous families over the last 18 months, and they’ve been asking us to take action. Last year, 260 people were killed as a result of drink driving. That’s unacceptable.”
She said four people are killed every day on the roads, while 90% of collisions are preventable. Ms Greenwood said: “It’s a duty on us as Government to act.”
Plans are expected to look at cutting the limit from 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath to 22 micrograms. It means just one pint could push some people over the limit.
Asked how much people would be allowed to drink, Ms Greenwood said it depends on a number of factors – including a person’s age, weight and sex. However the plans have come under fire from Reform leader Nigel Farage, who said: “This is a death knell for country pubs across Britain. Labour has no connection to how real life works.”
The plan has also been opposed by the British Beer and Pub Association. A spokesman told The Telegraph: “The pub sector continues to face huge challenges, so any additional policy measures that further impact trade will be of real concern to licensees, especially those in rural areas.”
Ms Greenwood said the plans would not stop people having a “great night out”. She told Times Radio: “We don’t want to stop people from going to the pub and having a great night out. What we’re just saying is don’t take your car.
“So that might mean that you know, some places you’ll be able to take a bus or a taxi. In other places, you’re going out with a group of mates, one of you agrees to be the designated driver.
“I know from working with the pub trade, how many great low alcohol drinks there are out there now, most of our favourite brands produced in a low alcohol version, so people have lots of opportunities to do something, to choose a different drink when you want to go out and you know, and enjoy yourself in the pub.”
She said there was evidence from Scotland cutting its drink drive limit that it did not have a “significant impact” on the pub trade.
