The Association of Fleet Professionals has hailed government plans to introduce a lower drink-drive limit and mandatory eye tests for older drivers.
The move would see the drink-driving limit lowered for the first time in over 50 years, whilst drivers over 70 could be banned from the roads if they fail compulsory eye tests.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander is reportedly considering lowering the drink-drive limit in England and Wales from 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath to 22 micrograms.
This new limit would be in line with Scotland – which cut its drink-drive limit in 2014 – and the rest of Europe.
The proposal is driven by the rising number of people killed in drink-driving incidents over the past decade, which reached a 13-year high in 2022.
There has been a 78% increase in the number of drivers killed on Britain’s roads in the past decade who were found to have drugs in their system.
Some of the other proposals being considered by the government include tougher penalties for uninsured driving and failing to wear a seatbelt.
The changes could include making it easier for police to bring prosecutions for drug-driving by allowing them to rely on roadside saliva tests for evidence rather than blood tests.
The changes are expected to be included in a new road safety strategy set to be published by the government in the autumn.
Paul Hollick, Association of Fleet Professionals chair, said: “Our view is that most fleets will welcome the mooted reduction of the drink-drive limit, which would presumably make it effectively impossible to legally consume any amount of alcohol and get behind the wheel.
“Fleet managers know that even at the current legal limit, the risk of having an accident is massively increased. A decrease in the limit would remove the dangerous grey area where some drivers will have one or two drinks and try to count units, assuming they will avoid prosecution if breathalysed.
“In terms of over-70s, there are relatively few fleet drivers who fall into this age range but there are some, especially employed on a casual basis for the occasional driving job.
“Many remain good drivers but there is an element of risk because of declining eyesight, and any new law introducing a sight test would make it easier for fleets to enforce sensible measures in this area.”
AA president, Edmund King said the changes to the drink-drive limit will make a real difference.
He said: “The time has come for a bold and proactive approach to road safety. This strategy is much overdue as road deaths have plateaued over the last decade.”
He added: “We believe these new measures will not only modernise our approach to saving lives but also provide renewed momentum in making our roads safer for everyone.”
