GENEVA, SWITZERLAND / AMONG THE VINES – Drivers in Britain who are serious drink-drive offenders will face stiffer rules 1 June.
High-risk offenders and anyone who refuses a blood-alcohol test will have to re-apply for a license and will not be allowed to drive until the new license is issued – and that will happen only once the driver has passed a medical examination stating that he or she is not alcohol-dependent.
The new rules affect a large number of people: in 2012 the national Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency received notices from the courts for more than 50,000 drink-driving convictions.
Some 22,000 were labeled high risk offenders. One-quarter of that group did not have the required medical examination. Current laws allow drivers to drive once they have applied for their new license, before they have received it.
Britain has had an alcohol limit for drivers since 1965.
The move is in start contrast to reported efforts in County Kerry, Ireland in January this year to legalize two to three drinks and driving for a limited group of farmers living in isolated areas.
Story in UK media: Daily Mail, The Drinks Business