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Lower drink-drive limit, Police Federation says Lower drink-drive limit, Police Federation says
(about 2 hours later)
The drink-drive limit in England and Wales should be cut to match that in Scotland, the Police Federation says. The drink-drive limit in England and Wales should be cut and more done to discourage women from driving while drunk, the Police Federation has said.
It wants the limit reduced from 80 to 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, and also suggests more needs to be done to discourage women from drink driving. It wants the limit to be reduced from 80 to 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood - in line with changes introduced in Scotland in 2014.
Scotland reduced the limit at the end of 2014 and Northern Ireland is considering a similar plan. Female drink-driving levels are not falling quickly enough, it also said, as warnings are not "getting through".
The Department for Transport said tackling drink-driving was a priority.The Department for Transport said tackling drink-driving was a priority.
Changed habitsChanged habits
The number of casualties and accidents caused by drinking and driving has been falling steadily since 1979, when detailed reporting began, according to data from the Department for Transport.The number of casualties and accidents caused by drinking and driving has been falling steadily since 1979, when detailed reporting began, according to data from the Department for Transport.
The Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers in England and Wales, said that was largely because male drivers had changed their drinking habits. However, the Police Federation - which represents rank and file officers in England and Wales - said that was largely because male drivers had changed their drinking habits.
It said more men than women were still caught drink-driving but women's convictions were increasing as a proportion of all cases. It said more men than women were still caught drink-driving, but female convictions were not decreasing at the same rate.
A study by Social Research Associates published last September highlighted figures showing that 17% of all drink-driving convictions involved women in 2012, up from 9% in 1998. It recommended anti-drink driving campaigns focus more on women. A study by Social Research Associates published last year suggested 17% of all drink-driving convictions in 2012 involved women - up from 9% in 1998.
Victoria Martin, a Police Federation representative, said: "We've seen a steep decline in men drink-driving over the years, with targeted advertising campaigns which is great, but women don't seem to be getting the same message." Victoria Martin, a Police Federation representative, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that figures suggested women's drinking habits "aren't changing".
The federation said some female motorists were "flouting" the law, with many unsure about how much they could drink safely. She said figures from the last 10 years showed the number of men caught drink-driving had halved, while female levels had stayed "about the same".
A session at its annual conference in Bournemouth will see officers debate ways to prevent women drinking and driving. Public safety messages about driving while drunk were not "getting through to women", she added.
BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said the proposed lower limit would mean in some cases a person could be breaking the law after drinking a pint of beer. Lucy Rocca, the founder of Soberistas - a social network to help women stop drinking - said women were not being featured in public health campaigns and advertising and, as a result, were not "connecting" with drink-drive warnings.
She said many women were "reticent" to admit they had a problem, adding: "It is women not wanting to admit they are drinking too much and not taking that into consideration when they get behind the wheel."
Strengthening enforcementStrengthening enforcement
BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said the proposed lower limit in England and Wales would mean in some cases a person could be breaking the law after drinking a pint of beer.
Northern Ireland is already considering a similar plan.
Prosecutions for drink-driving in Scotland have fallen by a third since it adopted the new limit in December, which our correspondent said suggested motorists were being more careful.Prosecutions for drink-driving in Scotland have fallen by a third since it adopted the new limit in December, which our correspondent said suggested motorists were being more careful.
The Department for Transport said it would look at the best ways to improve road safety over the next few years.The Department for Transport said it would look at the best ways to improve road safety over the next few years.
A DfT spokesman said: "We have strengthened enforcement by removing the automatic right for drivers who fail a breathalyser test to demand a blood or urine test. This has denied people the chance to sober up while waiting for the test to be taken.A DfT spokesman said: "We have strengthened enforcement by removing the automatic right for drivers who fail a breathalyser test to demand a blood or urine test. This has denied people the chance to sober up while waiting for the test to be taken.
"High risk offenders are now also required to prove they are no longer alcohol-dependent before being allowed to drive.""High risk offenders are now also required to prove they are no longer alcohol-dependent before being allowed to drive."