Poll reveals over half of Britons pledge support for zero tolerance driving

Auto Express, Britain's biggest selling motoring magazine, has teamed up with the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) to launch the 'No drink, No doubt' campaign, urging Britons not to drink a drop of alcohol if they're thinking of driving.

With the Christmas party season upon us, the temptation to have a tipple and get behind the wheel is even bigger than at other times of the year.  Auto Express polled over 3,000 of its readers to find out how they felt about the current drink-driving laws – the results revealed that 46% of them would welcome the introduction of a zero tolerance policy on drink-driving in England.

Auto Express took a snapshot of drivers attending this year's Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) rehab course, and found 13 per cent recorded no higher than 55mg per 100ml on a roadside breath test – just over the legal limit of 35mg.

And the confusion only increases with the introduction of new limits in Scotland, which sets the limit as 22mg per 100ml of breath. This matches the limit in the Republic of Ireland. However, much of mainland Europe has even stricter limits to the UK and Ireland's.

Chris Ebbs, Consumer Editor of Auto Express, said: "There is real uncertainly about how much you can legally drink before taking the wheel, with more than 10 per cent of those caught drink-driving being just a fraction over the limit. Historically drink-driving is more common among men, but recent statistics released by Direct Line show that the number of women being caught is increasing, too."

Kath Pavitt, Driver Education Director at IAM Driver Retaining Academy, said: "What drivers need to understand is that there are many factors that can take a person over the limit, and it isn't the same for everyone. One glass of wine can affect a person very differently depending on their build, height, weight, their sex, and how much they've eaten.

"It's very simple. The only sure way of making sure you are safe, is don't drink any alcohol if you plan to drive. You might not only lose your licence, but your job too."

"Our research and experts agree there's no way to ensure that you're not over the limit at any time of the year," Ebbs continues.  "Even one glass of alcohol can have an effect on driving – with potentially devastating consequences for everyone involved – so for safety's sake it's best not to drink at all, and we're urging Britons to not touch a drop if they know they will be getting behind the wheel."

Auto Express' 'No drink, No doubt' campaign launches this week. For more information, pick up a copy of the magazine which hits the shelves on Wednesday 10 December or logon to www.autoexpress.co.uk 

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