Transport Secretary Philip Hammond has announced that the UK's drink-drive limit will remain at 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. No change has been made to the UK limit despite calls to drop it to almost half the present threshold.

Campaigners for a reduction in the drink-drive limit to 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood include road safety charity RoSPA. Duncan Vernon is road safety officer for RoSPA and he said: "We would still like to see a lower drink-drive limit, as recommended by the North Report. Research shows that lowering the limit to 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood would save 65 lives per year on UK roads.'

RoSPA and other campaigners have welcomed improvements to roadside testing carried out by the police. This includes revoking the right of those found over the limit by up to 40 percent the right to opt for a blood test, which can allow drink drivers the time and opportunity to drop below the legal maximum level. Offenders will also no longer be allowed to delay a medical examination to give themselves time to sober up.

Drivers caught with excess alcohol in their system also face much tougher driver training before they are allowed back behind the wheel of a car.

The police are also now to use drug testing kits at the roadside, though trials are still being carried out before this becomes commonplace. A new law specific to drug-driving is also being considered that would mean the police only have to prove illegal drugs were present in a driver's blood.

Adrian Walsh of RoadSafe said: "It is very dangerous to drive when impaired by drugs and these measures send out the right message. However, we must find further ways to ensure that all drivers understand the dangers of driving while under the influence of drugs."

Alisdair Suttie - 22 Mar 2011