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Carwyn Jones backs call to cut drink-drive alcohol limit | Carwyn Jones backs call to cut drink-drive alcohol limit |
(about 2 hours later) | |
First Minister Carwyn Jones has said he is in favour of lowering the drink-drive limit in Wales and England. | First Minister Carwyn Jones has said he is in favour of lowering the drink-drive limit in Wales and England. |
In 2014, Scotland cut the limit from 80mg to 50mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood and the Police Federation wants the same rule in England and Wales. | In 2014, Scotland cut the limit from 80mg to 50mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood and the Police Federation wants the same rule in England and Wales. |
Mr Jones said the current legal limit was "too high" and he wanted the power to change the law devolved to Wales. | Mr Jones said the current legal limit was "too high" and he wanted the power to change the law devolved to Wales. |
The Department for Transport (DfT) said tackling drink-driving was a priority and it had "strengthened enforcement". | The Department for Transport (DfT) said tackling drink-driving was a priority and it had "strengthened enforcement". |
Prosecutions for drink-driving in Scotland have fallen by a third since it adopted the new limit in December. | Prosecutions for drink-driving in Scotland have fallen by a third since it adopted the new limit in December. |
During First Ministers Questions on Tuesday, Mr Jones said: "I was in Scotland in February, and discussing the issue with people there, they accepted it was a good idea, and we see, of course, from the figures, that the number of prosecutions for drink-drive prosecutions has dropped." | During First Ministers Questions on Tuesday, Mr Jones said: "I was in Scotland in February, and discussing the issue with people there, they accepted it was a good idea, and we see, of course, from the figures, that the number of prosecutions for drink-drive prosecutions has dropped." |
Mr Jones was responding to a question from Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams, who said lowering the limit would "undoubtedly save lives". | |
"We have about the most lax drink-drive limit in the whole of Europe and this must change," she said. | |
'High risk offenders' | 'High risk offenders' |
Wales, England and Northern Ireland currently have the joint highest drink-drive limits in Europe. | Wales, England and Northern Ireland currently have the joint highest drink-drive limits in Europe. |
Northern Ireland has said it is considering reducing the limit. | Northern Ireland has said it is considering reducing the limit. |
The DfT said: "We have strengthened enforcement by removing the automatic right for drivers who fail a breathalyser test to demand a blood or urine test. | The DfT 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. | "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." |
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