Doctors Urge to Lower Drink Drive Limit to Save Lives

Lowering the drink drive limit will save lives, Northern Ireland doctors said.

The BMA’s statement comes amid reports that the Republic of Ireland will move to cut the drink drive limit.

Alcohol and Driving-Blood Alcohol Level-Indian Law-Walk Test and Breathalyzer
Alcohol and driving do not mix. Drunken driving is the cause of many deaths in the world.

Fermanagh GP and member of the BMA’s GP committee Dr John Porteous said,

“It has been estimated that there would be 8 fewer deaths on our roads in Northern Ireland by lowering blood alcohol levels to 50mg from the current level of 80mg.

“We believe that this move will further deter those who think its ok to have a drink then get behind the wheel.

Blood Alcohol Level
Use this calculator to estimate your blood alcohol content and the permissible limit in different countries.

“In reality, there is no such thing as a safe limit, and doctors across the province urge everyone not to drink and drive”.

Road safety campaigner Dr Porteous continued,

Alcohol Use Disorder | Alcoholism
Alcohol use disorder or alcoholism is an inability to control drinking. It can cause short term and long term physical, as well as psychological effects on the patient.

“Ensuring that the drink drive limit is the same north and south of the border will greatly assist in enforcing the ‘don’t drink and drive’ message.

“Environment Minister Edwin Poots has already undertaken a lot of work in terms of looking at the issues of drink driving - we urge him to take action now to lower the drink drive limit to make Northern Ireland’s roads safer for all”.

Alcohol abuse
Alcohol abuse is defined by the DSM-IV as a maladaptive pattern of alcohol use leading to clinically significant impairment as manifested by one or more of the following symptoms.

Source-BMA