A review into the existing drink- and drug-driving laws has been announced, looking into whether there is a need to lower the drink-drive limit and introduce new anti-drug-driving legislation.
Sir Peter North has been appointed by the secretary of state for transport Lord Adonis to examine the issues, reporting back in March 2010.
The Government is examining ways to meet its long-term casualty reduction targets, and said 430 road deaths last year can be connected to alcohol. The review will examine whether a reduced limit would have an impact, or whether to add a new lower limit with graduated penalties.
The drug-driving element will examine the need to introduce legislation making it an offence to drive with a named substance in the body.
“We want to make sure the road safety strategy is robust enough to meet the tough challenges in casualty reduction,” said the parliamentary under-secretary of state for transport Paul Clark, speaking at the annual Institute of Advanced Motorist lunch earlier this month. “I aim to crack down on irresponsible road users, cut road casualties by a third by 2020 and clamp down on that minority that cause a disproportionate number of accidents.”
