News 24 DD limit change....

[BrainsTracy]

They are talking about lowering the DD limit to 50mg but only in Northern Ireland. Why not the whole UK?

[Ankou]

maybe ni are doing it to be in line with the republic ? saves any cross border inconsistencies.

[joggerjayne]

Because there is no proper evidence to show that it would make any additional contribution to road safety.

When people have drunk so much that they are dangerous on the road ... and they still get in a car and drive ... people like that aren't going to care if the limit is 84, 50, 20 or zero. They will still drive, and they will still cause accidents.

Dangerous drink drivers don't care about the limit ... they gamble on not getting caught.

So, while it would be popular with the vocal public, and maybe a crowd pleaser, lowering the limit here would be a waste of time and money.

[BrainsTracy]

Without going into the technicalities I was really wondering why it is seen as right for NI and not the rest of the UK. Ankou has offerred a plausible explanation for that though, thanks.

[youngmafbog]

Possibly also as a trial run?

[jake-the-peg]

When I first saw this title I thought it was about bra sizes!

I couldn't work out why there was a limit!

(sorry just thought I'd share my moment of insanity)

[ichkeria]

The reason it is Northern Ireland, and not the whole UK, is that this is the brainchild of the N. Ireland environment minister. Naturally enough, his jurisdiction only covers N.Ireland. So that is why.
Maybe the rest of the UK will catch up eventually :-)
If it happens.

[emmie]

I wonder they don't bring in a no drink driving rule for everyone. Wouldn't that be simpler all round.

[ichkeria]

Arguably there should be more focus on getting us all to slow down. Drink driving has rightly acquired a social stigma over the years, but it's plain that so many people still think it's acceptable to drive at inappropriate speeds.

[grffindoor2011]

Drink driving is used all too often as an excuse when an accident has happened. There are many more accidents caused by totally sober individuals. All this will do is add more people to the list of those with convictions simply for having half a lager. Its the fools that drink pint after pint that ruin it for everyone else.

And before the moralists start bleating. Not interested.

[emmie]

well sadly some get done because they had a skinful the night before, as happened to a friend. He got pulled over the next morning, and ended up in court, with 12 month driving ban. Most don't seem to realise how long alcohol stays in the bloodstream.

[ichkeria]

"well sadly some get done because they had a skinful the night before, as happened to a friend. He got pulled over the next morning, and ended up in court, with 12 month driving ban. Most don't seem to realise how long alcohol stays in the bloodstream. "

Quite so. Also, I don't think, if grffindoor2011 will excuse my "bleating", that drink driving is ever used as an "excuse". If drink driving is deemed the cause of an accident it's usually because someone's failed the test.