Road Safety Professionals still concerned over government's drink-drive limit plans

The Local Authority Road Safety Officers' Association (LARSOA) has welcomed the government's plans to crack down on speeding drivers, but has expressed major concerns over its apparent reluctance to tackle drink-drivers by reducing the limit.

A report by the BBC states that Ministers are still gathering evidence on whether the drink drive limit should be lowered - a response which LARSOA believes is hiding the fact that there is a reluctance in Whitehall to go through with the move, with a preference being stronger enforcement of the current limit.

Reducing the limit would bring the UK in line with the rest of Europe and research shows it would save 65 lives each year.

LARSOA backed the plans to reduce the limit when announced by Sir Liam Donaldson, the government's Chief Medical Advisor in July this year, and feels that this decision is putting the lives of thousands of road users at risk.

Alan Kennedy, Vice Chair of LARSOA, said on the consultation:

"We broadly welcome the majority of proposals set out in the consultation. Proposals that will improve the safety on the UK's roads can only be a good thing, but we are still extremely concerned over the continued reluctance we are seeing from government to reduce the drink drive limit."

Spokespeople from LARSOA are available for interview and further comment on this issue.

Please contact Peter Whelan on 07983 288388 or Chris Taylor/Kathryn Clapham on 01287 610404 for further