Last week, top British insurance company Swinton revealed the results of a survey which said that one in five motorists in the UK don’t know what the legal blood alcohol level is for driving.
The poll showed that 20% of drivers in the United Kingdom believe that the legal limit is 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath, when it’s actually 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood.
Swinton’s survey results come at the same time as the UK government begins to investigate proposals to reduce the legal limit from 80mg per 100ml of blood to 50mg. The report which includes the proposals, published in the June 20th edition of the North Review, also looks at current laws on drinking and driving. It was prepared by Sir Peter North CBE QC.
If the new limits are approved, the United Kingdom’s legal blood alcohol levels would fall into line with regulations common throughout Europe, and would mean that – especially with women – one glass of wine or a single pint of strong beer could set people over the limit. As well, anyone caught driving would face a compulsory year-long ban on driving.
Steve Chelton, Swinton’s Insurance Development Manager told the press, “Drink driving has major legal, social and financial consequences. Motorists can expect hefty increases in their car insurance premium if they are caught under the influence behind the wheel.”