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Drivers face ban for a half-pint of bitter
Page 10
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by Dominic Perry HGV drivers could find themselves over the drink-driving limit after drinking a single pint of beer following a decision by the European Parliament.
MEPs have voted by an overwhelming majority to recommend a lower limit for HGV drivers of 0.2mg of alcohol per ml of blood. This is the equivalent of about half a pint of beer for most people.
While the decision is only a recommendation at this stage, a spokesman for the DOT in this country says it will be looked at by ministers: "We will have to go away and consider it carefully, but there is no instant decision to be made." he adds.
If introduced, the new limit would be significant for any truck drivers who drink alcohol the night before driving.
The body takes about an hour to rid itself of each unit of alcohol; one unit is equivalent to half a pint of ordinary strength beer, one glass of wine or a single measure of spirits.
A driver of average build who drinks seven pints from 20:00hrs could still have four units of alcohol inside him at 05:30hrs the next morn ing—well over the limit. if the lower limit is accepted by the UN he could be unable to drive legally until around 09:00hrs.
Nonetheless the move to a lower limit has been welcomed by road safety campaign group Brake: "Lowering the legal limit for blood to 20mg would help stop the 3,500 deaths and injuries that are caused each year by drunk drivers," says executive-director Mary Williams.
"It is vital to reinforce the message that even a small amount of alcohol impairs driving ability and the only way to be safe if you are driving is to drink nothing," she adds.