Fresh calls for the drink-drive limit to be lowered have been made by the Police Federation, alongside a warning over women 'not getting the message'.
Last year Scotland changed the legal blood alcohol limit for driving from 80mg to 50mg in every 100ml of blood, bringing it in line with most of Europe.
Victoria Martin, of the Police Federation, said Scotland had seen a marked reduction in failed breathalyser tests as soon as the law was changed. Martin however warned: “We’ve seen a steep decline in men drink-driving over the years, with targeted advertising campaigns, which is great, but women don’t seem to be getting the same message".
Only England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Malta have an 80mg limit, with most of Europe having a 50mg limit and some having lower or zero limits. Strong evidence for a reduced limit is claimed, however in 2011 it was announced England's limit would remain at 80mg despite an independent report calling for it to be reduced. Instead the Government said it would focus on "improving enforcement and education to tackle the drink and drug drivers who put lives at risk."
However whilst the longer term trend in drink-driving is one of significant decline, concerns over an increasing proportion of women failing breath tests are being raised. According to a report by Social Research Associates (SRA), women now account for 17 per cent of convictions, compared with nine per cent in 1998, as reported in the Telegraph.
Kris Beuret OBE, director of SRA and author of the study, said there were a number of gender specific reasons for women's drink driving:
"These include the effects of different metabolism on men and women’s bodies, confusion about how many units are in alcoholic drinks – especially wine – and thinking that the police would be less likely to stop them.
The study also found that several important messages aren’t getting across to women – and this is reinforced by the generally male dominated imagery of anti-drink driving campaigns. Some women in the study even admitted trying to drive ‘extra carefully’ but this is no solution..."
Last year a campaign was based around 50 years of drink-drive messages, celebrating the steady decline. However drink-drive incidents account for 13% of all road fatalities - about 230 each year.
In 2013 a warning that 'morning after’ drink driving was on the increase was reported, with 46% of drivers having no idea or underestimated how long it took for alcohol to leave the body. Typically a healthy body will process around 1 unit per hour, but a wide range of variables such as body size, gender, age and other factors come into play - read more here or see www.morning-after.org.uk.
The 'Think!' campaign aims to highlight the dangers, as well as a fine of up to £5,000, a minimum 12-month driving ban and a criminal record if caught.
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