A GOVERNMENT decision to ignore advice and keep the drink drive limit at the current level is “bitterly disappointing”, according to a Huddersfield charity.
The reaction from the road safety charity Brake follows the announcement that the legal limit will remain at 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood.
The Government chose to reject the recommendation of an official report to reduce the level to 50mg, which is more in line with other European countries.
The Department of Transport said: “The prescribed alcohol limit for driving will not be changed, with the focus instead on improving enforcement and education to tackle the drink and drug drivers who put lives at risk.”
A spokeswoman for Brake said: “It is bitterly disappointing that the Government has chosen to ignore evidence showing that lowering our drink drive limit and implementing random breath-testing would be highly effective in cutting these tragic, costly and preventable casualties.
“Quite simply, we need a zero tolerance approach that would send out a clear message that it is none for the road if we are to stamp out this deadly menace once and for all.”
The charity did, however, welcome news that roadside drugs testing will be introduced within the year.
