Driving: Blood Alcohol Limit Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate
Department: Department for Transport

Driving: Blood Alcohol Limit

Lord Swinfen Excerpts
Wednesday 12th December 2012

(11 years, 5 months ago)

Lords Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Earl Attlee Portrait Earl Attlee
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

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
- Hansard - -

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
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

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.