Driving after drinking alcohol, breaking speed limits and not wearing a seat
belt are recognised by most drivers as being dangerous. However, many
drivers still engage in such actions; the question to resolve is why
they do it; and perhaps why we, knowing what we do, may also do such
things.
It has been estimated that if these three single risk factors could be improved
in a significant way on Europe roads, the number of serious injuries or fatalities
could be reduced by half - the target set by the European Commission in 2001
to be achieved by 2010.
Drinking and driving afterwards
The issue of what should be the legal limit for drinking and driving is an
important one; and one that perhaps could be harmonised across Europe. There
are countries with an alcohol limit currently below the one most frequently
adopted throughout Europe, which is 0.5 g/l. Drivers in these countries are
relatively less in favour of adopting this limit as a common European standard.
However, two-thirds of the drivers in countries with a limit higher than
0.5 g/l would support reducing the limit to this level; surely a finding
that politicians in such countries should take account of in planning their
future road safety strategy. However, all countries should be able to set,
or keep, a lower limit if required. The map on page 35 "
Legal limits for drinking and driving over Europe in 2004 (g/l)" shows what countries would be involved if a single European limit, of 0.5 g/l,
were to be adopted. Four countries would need to lower their limit while
seven would be under this level.
It is also worth noting that having a zero limit, so that no alcohol could
be drunk before driving, for novice drivers was strongly supported by most
of those interviewed. Some countries, e.g. Austria, have already implemented
such a law.
