As the festive period approaches new figures suggest that nearly a quarter of young people have got in a car after the driver has consumed either drugs or alcohol.  The joint survey by road safety charity Brake and QBE Insurance was based on 8,110 people aged 15-25.  82% of those questioned said they would support a zero-tolerance limit on young drivers.

In 2010 there were 250 deaths caused by drink driving and 1,230 serious injuries.

Northern Ireland’s environment minister Alex Attwood has outlined his proposals to reduce the drink drive limit in the country by almost half.  At present the blood alcohol limit is in line with UK policy at 80mg/100ml.  Mr Attwood wants to reduce the level to 50mg/100ml.  Within proposals revealed this week he also outlined that there should be a further reduction for young drivers and people who drive for a living to just 20mg/100ml. European countries such as France, Germany and Italy have already adopted the lower threshold of 50mg/100ml.

Road safety charity Brake is keen for the UK to follow Northern Ireland’s lead and reduce levels significantly.  Speaking on behalf of the charity, Julie Townsend said that they would like to see a zero tolerance approach to drink driving - “We would like to see a 20mg limit across the UK and we have got evidence that the majority of drivers would actually support that tougher stance.”  She further added “And the reason we want a zero tolerance approach is that it sends out a very clear message that it’s none for the road.”

The UK Department of Transport recorded 250 deaths related to drink driving in 2010.

The AA and drinks company Pernod Ricard launched an anti-drink-drive summer campaign yesterday.  The aim is to encourage people to accept responsibility when driving by not drinking.

A survey conducted by the motoring organisation and Populus showed that of the 11,500 AA members questioned 63% thought that the responsibility to not drink and drive was with the driver themselves.

In 2009, 380 people died due to drink driving, which accounted for 17% of fatal road accidents.  In the same year 11,990 reported casualties occurred as a result of a drunk driver. The 30 day summer campaign last year tested 101,000 people in the UK. During that period 5.6% tested positive or refused to take a test.

The campaign this year will focus on asking drivers to take responsibility for their actions and also think before they get behind the wheel.

In the UK the legal driving limit is 35 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath.

The amount of people being caught drink driving  is higher than the same period last year.  A survey conducted showed that 40% of drivers are getting behind the wheel the morning after excessive drinking the previous night.

Road Safety charity Brake is concerned that part of the reason for the increase is a lack of knowledge on how long alcohol stays within the body. As a guide they advise that you should allow at least an hour to absorb alcohol, plus at least one hour for every unit consumed for your body to rid itself of alcohol.  This means that the average bottle of wine can take up to 10 hours to be processed through the body.  The message to drivers is it is time, not sleep that will make the difference.

Proposals from the Transport Select Committee could see the UK having a zero tolerance attitude to drink driving.  At present the limit is 80mg per 100ml in blood samples.  Under the proposed guidelines this would be reduced to 20mg per 100ml.  Alcohol is produced naturally within the body and is within various foods so this could mean that one drink could take a person over the drink driving cut off.  If found over the limit this would result in a one year driving ban.

Former Principal of Jesus College, Oxford, Sir Peter North is leading an independent review on the issue and will advising the government on how to proceed.  It seems likely that he will recommend that the alcohol driving limit is set at 50mg per 100ml.  This would allow most people to consume a small glass of wine or a pint of lager and still drive.

Both of these recommendations will be considered by the Transport Secretary at the beginning of 2011.