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Majority of people support reduced drink-drive limit, finds IAM

The findings directly contradict research published earlier this week from SmartWitness that suggests 62% of drivers don’t support Scotland’s tougher drink-drive laws being extended elsewhere.

The IAM research also found that nearly half of respondents said seasonal Christmas drink-drive campaigns should always be made a priority by the police. It added that the success of this approach is demonstrated by existing research from the Department for Transport, which shows that the number of people convicted of drink driving falls in December despite more people being tested over the festive period.

The survey of 2,437 visitors to the IAM website, which took place during November 2015, also found that almost half would like the police to be given more power to stop any driver and request a random breath test.

Research published yesterday (16 December) by the RAC has found that reducing the drink-drive limit in the rest of the UK could save 25 lives a year. Meanwhile in Scotland, the implementation of the lower drink-drive limit has seen Scottish drink-drive numbers continue to fall, with a corresponding reduction in alcohol-related accidents.

The IAM’s chief executive officer Sarah Sillars commented: “While the police double their efforts in reducing the number of drink-drive incidents during this time of year, it’s important that we look to a solution that can make a positive change over the long-term.

“Many of our survey participants would like to see stricter laws introduced, in order to discourage those who continue to risk one or two drinks when driving. The IAM welcomed the adoption of lower limits in Scotland last year and this change seems to be successfully reinforcing the message that we should all make it none for the road. Christmas is a time when people are more conscious of the risk of drink-driving and the IAM supports campaigns which makes the non-drinker the hero on a night out, so that everyone stays safe.”

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Natalie Middleton

Natalie has worked as a fleet journalist for over 20 years, previously as assistant editor on the former Company Car magazine before joining Fleet World in 2006. Prior to this, she worked on a range of B2B titles, including Insurance Age and Insurance Day.