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Lower drink-drive limit, Police Federation says Women not getting drink-drive message - Police Federation
(about 1 hour later)
The drink-drive limit in England and Wales should be cut and more done to discourage women from driving while drunk, the Police Federation has said. More should be done to discourage women from driving while drunk, the Police Federation says.
It wants the limit to be reduced from 80 to 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood - in line with changes introduced in Scotland in 2014. It says female drink-driving levels are not falling quickly enough as warnings are not "getting through".
Female drink-driving levels are not falling quickly enough, it also said, as warnings are not "getting through". The body also wants the legal limit in England and Wales to be reduced from 80 to 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood - in line with changes introduced in Scotland in 2014.
The Department for Transport said tackling drink-driving was a priority.The Department for Transport said tackling drink-driving was a priority.
Campaigners say cutting the drink-drive limit would reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on roads.
England, Wales and Northern Ireland currently have the joint highest drink-drive limits in Europe. However, Northern Ireland has already said it is considering reducing the limit.
Changed habitsChanged habits
The number of casualties and accidents caused by drinking and driving has been falling steadily since 1979, when detailed reporting began, according to data from the Department for Transport. Drink-drive casualties and accidents have been falling steadily since 1979, when detailed reporting began, according to data from the Department for Transport.
However, the Police Federation - which represents rank and file officers in England and Wales - said that was largely because male drivers had changed their drinking habits.However, the Police Federation - which represents rank and file officers in England and Wales - said that was largely because male drivers had changed their drinking habits.
It said more men than women were still caught drink-driving, but female convictions were not decreasing at the same rate.It said more men than women were still caught drink-driving, but female convictions were not decreasing at the same rate.
A study by Social Research Associates published last year suggested 17% of all drink-driving convictions in 2012 involved women - up from 9% in 1998.A study by Social Research Associates published last year suggested 17% of all drink-driving convictions in 2012 involved women - up from 9% in 1998.
Victoria Martin, a Police Federation representative, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that figures suggested women's drinking habits "aren't changing".Victoria Martin, a Police Federation representative, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that figures suggested women's drinking habits "aren't changing".
She said figures from the last 10 years showed the number of men caught drink-driving had halved, while female levels had stayed "about the same".She said figures from the last 10 years showed the number of men caught drink-driving had halved, while female levels had stayed "about the same".
Public safety messages about driving while drunk were not "getting through to women", she added.Public safety messages about driving while drunk were not "getting through to women", she added.
Lucy Rocca, the founder of Soberistas - a social network to help women stop drinking - said women were not being featured in public health campaigns and advertising and, as a result, were not "connecting" with drink-drive warnings.Lucy Rocca, the founder of Soberistas - a social network to help women stop drinking - said women were not being featured in public health campaigns and advertising and, as a result, were not "connecting" with drink-drive warnings.
She said many women were "reticent" to admit they had a problem, adding: "It is women not wanting to admit they are drinking too much and not taking that into consideration when they get behind the wheel."She said many women were "reticent" to admit they had a problem, adding: "It is women not wanting to admit they are drinking too much and not taking that into consideration when they get behind the wheel."
Strengthening enforcement What is the legal limit elsewhere in Europe?
BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said the proposed lower limit in England and Wales would mean in some cases a person could be breaking the law after drinking a pint of beer. (All figures per 100ml of blood)
Northern Ireland is already considering a similar plan. 'Strengthened enforcement'
Prosecutions for drink-driving in Scotland have fallen by a third since it adopted the new limit in December, which our correspondent said suggested motorists were being more careful. The amount motorists can drink before being over the limit depends on factors including their gender, age, weight, metabolism, stress levels and whether they have eaten recently, as well as the size and strength of the drink.
Experts estimate a 50mg limit would mean an 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.
However, a campaign ahead of the change in Scotland warned that "the best advice is none" - meaning people should not drink any alcohol if they intend to drive.
Prosecutions for drink-driving in Scotland have fallen by a third since it adopted the new limit in December, which BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said suggested motorists were being more careful.
The Department for Transport said it would look at the best ways to improve road safety over the next few years.The Department for Transport said it would look at the best ways to improve road safety over the next few years.
A DfT spokesman said: "We have strengthened enforcement by removing the automatic right for drivers who fail a breathalyser test to demand a blood or urine test. This has denied people the chance to sober up while waiting for the test to be taken.A DfT spokesman said: "We have strengthened enforcement by removing the automatic right for drivers who fail a breathalyser test to demand a blood or urine test. This has denied people the chance to sober up while waiting for the test to be taken.
"High risk offenders are now also required to prove they are no longer alcohol-dependent before being allowed to drive.""High risk offenders are now also required to prove they are no longer alcohol-dependent before being allowed to drive."
Have you been affected by drink-driving? What do you think the limit should be? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences.Have you been affected by drink-driving? What do you think the limit should be? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences.
If you would be happy to speak further to a BBC journalist, please include a contact telephone number. You can also tweet your stories to @BBC_HaveYourSay or text 61124.If you would be happy to speak further to a BBC journalist, please include a contact telephone number. You can also tweet your stories to @BBC_HaveYourSay or text 61124.
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