Proposed changes to the drink driving law... what do Paignton people think?

A

major shake up in the drink driving law was proposed earlier in the week –

slashing the legal limit from 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood to 50mg.

Also suggested was that police

should be allowed to conduct breath tests at any time – as opposed to the

present law of only carrying out a breath test only if a motorist has been

driving erratically, been involved in an accident or committed another offence

while driving. 

News sources say that

ministers will agree to consider the findings of an official review of

drink-drive rules, which will recommend bringing Britain in line with most of

Europe. 

Road safety campaigners say

the move would prevent up to 65 deaths and 230 serious injuries a year.

Critics say a lower limit will

force many rural pubs to close, as well as criminalising thousands of

motorists.

An article in the Daily Mail

says:

“The current 80mg limit allows

a man of average build to drink between one-and a half and two pints of normal

strength beer or three small glasses of wine and remain within the law. 

"With a 50mg limit, the

average-man would be limited to just under a pint of beer or a large glass of

wine and women to half a pint of beer or a small glass of wine.”

What do Paignton people think? Too harsh or a good idea? In a rural would

such a change affect your drinking habits?