Sedqa calls for lower blood-alcohol limit

Di-Ve
Wednesday 16th December 2009
by di-ve.com - editorial@di-ve.com
Current Affairs

http://www.di-ve.com/Default.aspx?ID=72&Action=1&NewsId=67674&newscategory=31

The blood-alcohol limit for drivers should be reduced from the current 80mg/decilitre to 50, Aġenzija Sedqa insisted on Wednesday.
At the launch of its annual campaign to promote responsibility amongst drivers during the Christmas season, Sedqa noted that the current limit was one of the highest levels permissible in the EU. Sixteen member states have enacted a limit of 50mg/dl, Ireland plans to reduce its 80mg/dl limit to 50 next year, while 8 have a level ranging from 0-20mg/dl.

Sedqa has been pushing for this legislation since its inception, and said that the reason behind its recommendation was based on research and experience which showed that lower limits led to fewer traffic fatalities.

The agency also called for a revision of regulations to allow police officers to administer breathalyser tests at their discretion.
“Statistics show that arraignments in Court for drink-driving average about 10 a month – surely not a representation of the real situation especially when it is common knowledge that unfortunately many people drink and drive,” Sedqa maintained.

Sedqa’s Christmas campaign, for which the agency has joined forces with Rotaract La Vallette Malta, has already seen billboards put up in 2 prime locations – in Marsa and Paceville – urging people not to drink and drive.

The agency is also set to collaborate with Rotaract on further events and initiatives over the next few months, including the production of an interactive CD for secondary school students and a booklet on the harm of substance abuse during pregnancy.