Police call to lower legal drink drive limit (From Warrington Guardian)

Police call to lower legal drink drive limit

FIGURES showing motorists in Crewe and Nantwich continue to drink and drive have prompted calls for lower legal limits.

In a two-month blitz by Crewe police, some 59 drivers provided positive tests when stopped and breathalysed by officers.

Police claim its festive campaigns - which included a mock-up accident in Market Square and leaflet dropping - worked, with fewer positive tests recorded in December (27) than in November (32).

But they admit even one positive test is too many and have now put their support behind the Association of Chief Police Officers' (ACPO) bid to reduce the blood-alcohol limit from 80mg of alcohol to 50mg per 100ml of blood.

Cheshire Police Constable Nick Woodcock said: "It is a good idea and we will support any legislation that is designed to reduce the number of people who drink and drive.

"We would have to do this in the right manner and target the right people."

ACPO's head of road policing Richard Brunstrom said: "A worrying proportion of those involved in collisions are still driving having consumed excess alcohol.

"I again reiterate my strong belief that it is time the Government followed the European Commission recommendation that the blood alcohol limit be lowered from 80mg to 50mg.

"The sad fact is that in 2004 a similar percentage of drivers in collisions over Christmas and New Year had been drinking to excess as in 1997."

Sgt Martyn Campbell at Crewe road traffic said: "One positive breath test is one too many. Ideally we would like them all to come in negative.