‘Not a drop; not a drag’ campaign steps up a gear

Road safety charity Brake and Direct Line today reveal an overwhelming cry from the British public for Government action to 20curb the menace of drink and drug driving.

The call comes in the same month as the findings from an inquiry on drink and drug driving by Lord Peter North for the Department for Transport are due to be published.

More than 9 out of 10 drivers (92%) surveyed by the charity and motor insurer support the introduction of a new anti drug drive law to enable prosecution of anyone driving on impairing drugs, similar to the law on drink driving. At the moment, a prosecution can only be brought against a drug driver if the police also have evidence the driver was driving badly.

Drivers are also overwhelmingly in favour of a lower drink-drive limit, with more than 7 out of 10 (71%) agreeing that the current limit of 80mg alcohol per 100ml blood should be cut. Research indicates that someone driving with this much alcohol in their blood is five times more likely to crash than if they were driving without any alcohol in their system.

More than half of drivers (55%) support Brake and Direct Line’s calls for a low limit of 20mg alcohol per 100ml blood or lower, while a further 16% favour a limit of 50mg – the maximum limit recommended by the European Commission.

Following a change in Ireland’s laws from December 2009, Britain and Malta are the only remaining European countries with a drink-drive limit higher than the EU-recommended 50mg alcohol per 100ml blood. Increasing numbers of countries are setting a 20mg or zero-tolerance limit, including many of the countries with the best road safety records.

Cathy Keeler, deputy chief executive of Brake, the road safety charity, said: “It’s time for bold action by policymakers to demonstrate they are listening to public concerns on drink and drug-driving. Our drink-drive limit and drug-drive laws are hopelessly out-of-touch with public opinion and the weight of evidence showing just how dangerous it is to mix drink or drugs – or both – with driving. We desperately need a solid legal foundation for the clear messages of the government’s THINK! road safety campaign: don’t drink any amount of alcohol and drive; don’t take any impairing drugs (whether legal or illegal) and drive. The message is: Not a Drop, Not a Drag.”

Andy Goldby, Director of Motor Underwriting at Direct Line Insurance said: “Drink or drug driving is one of the most serious crimes a driver can commit and one that needs to be tackled with real conviction. If we are to make any headway into achieving our goal of the safest roads in the world, we need to ensure that the right laws, limits and learning are in place here in the UK. Unfortunately, drink and drug driving is only one of the social problems that we need to address to make our roads safer. However, as our research suggests any increase in penalties, or decrease in the alcohol limit has the overwhelming support of British road users.”

Lord North is due to report to the Department for Transport by end March 2010. More details, including the official scope of the review and specific questions being asked by the inquiry team, are available at http://northreview.independent.gov.uk

The survey results are published in Fit to Drive? (Direct Line and Brake report no2) which surveyed 800 drivers.

Brake is an independent national road safety charity. Brake exists to stop the 7 deaths and 71 serious injuries that happen on UK roads every day and to care for families bereaved and seriously injured in road crashes. Brake produces educational literature, runs community training programmes and runs events including Road Safety Week (22-28 November 2010). Brake’s Fleet Safety Forum provides up-to-date fleet safety resources for fleet managers. BrakeCare, Brake’s support division, cares for road crash victims through a helpline and other services.

Direct Line

Started in 1985, Direct Linebecame the first UK insurance company to use the telephone as its main channel of communication. It provides motor, home, travel and pet insurance cover direct to customers by phone or on-line.

Direct Line is part of RBS Insurance, the second largest general insurer in the UK [1] and is wholly owned by the Royal Bank of Scotland Group. Customers can find out more about Direct Line products or get a quote by calling 0845 246 3761 or visiting www.directline.com

Direct Line Insurance plc is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Registered office: 3 Edridge Road, Croydon, Surrey CR9 1AG. Registered in England and Wales no. 01810801. The Financial Services Authority’s Register can be accessed through http://www.fsa.gov.uk

[1] Based on 2008 FSA returns (policies in force).