Driving: Blood Alcohol Limit Debate

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Department: Department for Transport

Driving: Blood Alcohol Limit

Lord Swinfen Excerpts
Wednesday 12th December 2012

(11 years, 11 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Earl Attlee Portrait Earl Attlee
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My Lords, during the passage of the Crime and Courts Bill this afternoon we will be taking the drug-driving provisions through. There are two pieces of equipment to be approved: the station-based drug testing equipment, which is on track to be approved by the Home Office shortly, and the roadside drug testing equipment, which is a little more difficult; we need to wait for the outcome of the expert panel which is looking at the appropriate levels before we can set its specification.

Lord Swinfen Portrait Lord Swinfen
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My Lords, how long does it take for the blood alcohol level to return to zero from 80 milligrams when the alcohol disperses naturally?

Earl Attlee Portrait Earl Attlee
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My Lords, I do not know, but the key point is that there is no safe limit of alcohol in the blood when driving a vehicle. Therefore, we advise that the best option is not to drink at all.