DRINKING AND DRIVING: THE LEISURELY APPROACH

The article comments on the findings published in 1979 in the government's consultative document on drinking and driving. Proposals made in the document are largely based on the recommendations of the 1976 Blennerhassett Report. It is proposed that the law should consist of a simple 'impairment' offence with the excess alcohol as conclusive evidence of that impairment. Present 'loopholes' in the law would be removed and the procedure requirements reduced to a minimum. The physiological variability among individuals needs further study before limits and test procedures are finalised. The government has not yet reached a conclusion on the procedure for high risk offenders or the extent of breath testing. The consequences of disqualifying a second offender for a period of at least three years are discussed. The wisdom of the government's continued opposition to indiscriminate testing is questioned; it is suggested that many lives would be unnecessarily lost before legislation permits the law to be changed effectively. (TRRL)

  • Availability:
  • Corporate Authors:

    British Medical Association

    BMA House, Tavistock Square
    London WC1H 9JR,   United Kingdom 
  • Publication Date: 1980-1-19

Media Info

  • Features: References;
  • Pagination: p. 135-136
  • Serial:
    • BMJ
    • Issue Number: 6208
    • Publisher: British Medical Association
    • ISSN: 0959-8138
    • Serial URL: http://www.bmj.com/

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00314580
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
  • Files: ITRD, TRIS
  • Created Date: Nov 19 1980 12:00AM