Call to lower drink drive limits for young people

As many as 36 per cent of adults reckon the limit should be zero for all drivers, the poll from car insurance company Direct Line found.

The current permitted limit in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, while in Scotland the limit has recently been lowered to 50mg.

The survey showed that 50 per cent of the 2,002 adults questioned said the limit should be either lower or zero for young drivers or for those who have just passed their test.

Most support for a zero limit for these young and novice motorists came from those living in north east England, with the least support being in south east England.

People in Northern Ireland were most keen to see a zero limit for all drivers, with those in the North East and in London being the least keen.

Direct Line motor director Gus Park said: “England, Wales and Northern Ireland boast one of the most permissive driver blood-alcohol concentration limits in Europe, but there is widespread popular support for lowering this, especially for young and novice motorists.

“With many other European nations adopting a zero-tolerance approach to drink-driving and Scotland reducing the legal drink-drive limit by over a third in December, it may only be a matter of time before the rest of the union introduces tougher drink-driving controls.”