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Debate: should there be greater penalties for drink driving?

15 December 2008

Its that time of year again, with Christmas parties and late nights - drink driving becomes more common.

Do you think there should be greater penalties for drink driving?

  • A footballer was recently jailed for 7 years for drink driving - is this a harsh enough penalty?
  • Or should the authorities take a harder line with people who put lives at risk?
  • Have you been affected by drink driving? What is your story?
  • Tell us what you think.

Have your say, and debate the issue here on PCS comment, and a selection of the comments will be published in View, the monthly magazine for PCS members.

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  1. Let's make it simpler....

    14 January 2009

    why bother if someone has 35 micro-grammes or more in their blood stream...I say let's have a NIL limit. Research can prove that any alcohol can diminsh your performance as a driver! Just don't drink (anything!) and drive! FYI West Yorkshire Police's policy is not to prosecute under 40mGM's.

    Paul Curtis
    Drink driving

    14 January 2009

    I think that we should lower the legal limit for alcohol to 0, i.e. if you have had even one drink, you should not be allowed drive at all. Pubs and restaurants could help by lowering the price of soft drinks and increasing the price of alcoholic drinks. Society should also help by making it more acceptable to drink soft drinks rather than alcohilic drinks.

    Cathy Alliss
    Drink Driving

    13 January 2009

    Obviously drink driving is completely unnacceptable but I don't think punitive penalties are the only answer. I agree that the Christmas campaigns should be all year round and that public transport needs to be improved, particularly in rural areas. I also think that campaigns should not just be directed at the young. Most younger people, particularly if they have children, would not consider driving if they intend to drink. The people who do it most often are, I believe, older men who started driving before the breathalyser - pensioners now, with the general slowing down of reactions that age brings making them even more dangerous. The morning after issue also needs to be publicised, as I think many people don't realise how long alcohol stays in the system.

    Caroline Watson
    Not necessarily

    13 January 2009

    The most important thing is to prevent drink driving in the first place. Campaigns and excessive punishments may make those who think they can get away with it, think twice. I would argue that anyone who drinks alcohol is a potential drink driver. Think of the friend who took the train because she knew she'd be drinking, then got caught driving over the limit later. Good intentions aren't enough. Education on drink driving and alcohol abuse is key. Plus, everyone with an alcohol problem needs effective help before they offend. And we all need to have access to affordable and reliable public transport, no matter where we live.

    Helen Jolly
    Drink & drive damages lives

    11 January 2009

    I was a victim of an accident caused by someone who was well over the limit. No one should drink then think they are fit to drive - all it takes is a seconds loss of concentration to ruin anothers life. I'm all for zero tolerance and better public tranport. Plus the campaigns we see at Christmas should be run throughout the year.

    Karen Markus
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