Now the summer holidays have begun it’s time for the annual summer anti-drink drive PR push to warn motorists from taking a risk with having one too many.
And the first outfit to issue a ‘news’ release is the IAM – the Institute of Advanced Motorists.
They claim that 80 per cent of motorists want those who repeatedly drink drive to have their vehicles seized and sold or scrapped, according to a poll they carried out.
Personally I’m surprised it’s that low and, having reported on many drink driving issues over the years, I know there are lots of people who would agree with the sentiment to destroy the driver’s car – with the driver still inside it.
Survey respondents were also behind reducing the drink-drive limit with 66 per cent wanting to see the limit reduced, with most of these saying it should be lowered to a maximum of 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. Twenty-eight per cent think we should have a zero-tolerance policy.
People convicted of drink driving generally lose their licence for a year and receive an average fine of £240. Fifty-seven per cent think this is too weak, and that punishments for drink drivers should be tougher – thirty-eight per cent much tougher.
Simon Best, IAM’s chief executive, said: “The support is there for tougher treatment of drink drivers.
“Not only do the majority want a lower limit – they also want tougher punishment for those that break the law, especially the worst offenders who present the greatest danger to other road users, their passengers and themselves.
“Our poll shows a desire to see more effective drink drive levels as well as much greater consistency of enforcement, prosecution, and sentencing, which reflects the level of danger associated with drinking drivers.”
Like many things there are too many vested interests in this country moving to a zero alcohol limit – and even if we did there are still thoughtless idiots out there who will still get behind the wheel regardless of what the limit is.
