Dear Barbara Creecy

Having read that you untend to lower the current alcohol safe driving limit to zero, I have to ask if you know why civilised countries have a safe driving limit which is a little above zero rather than actually zero. This level was formulated out of research because there are numerous items ingested by people which have some alcohol content, albeit at a low level. You may have seen the video clip of a police officer eating a hot cross bun, then blowing into a breathalyser and testing positive. That is not a joke. Also bear in mind that beyond other foodstuff which may have some small level of alcohol in them, some medications can also contain alcohol. It is also true that some peoples bodies produce alcohol in their system.

Those that currently drink way over the limit are unlikely to improve their behaviour by your zeroing of the legal limit. However, now you will be merrily ticketing those who are safely driving at or even very much below the current safe limit.

What you propose is illogical and against the science.

Regards

John Birkett