OVER TWO thirds of motorists would like to see a zero tolerance approach adopted to drink driving in the UK according to a new survey by Motorpoint.

The web-based poll from the UK’s leading independent car retailer found 70.6 per cent of people would welcome a blanket ban on consumption of alcohol behind the wheel just as police forces embark on their annual drink driving awareness campaigns. Over 830 motorists took part in the poll on the Motorpoint website.

The news comes as the number of people killed in drink-driving incidents has risen to an eight-year high, according to Government figures. The latest available figures from the Department for Transport revealed that the number of fatalities in incidents where at least one driver was over the drink-drive limit rose to 250.

The drink drive limit in England and Wales is currently 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood – the highest in Europe. The drink drive limit in Scotland was reduced to 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood almost five years ago to fall in line with most other European countries. Poland and Sweden have the lowest levels, at 20mg, effectively adopting a zero tolerance approach.

Mark Carpenter, chief executive officer of Motorpoint, said: “There is still real confusion among motorists with regards to drink drive limits and what’s safe and what’s not.

“The results of the Motorpoint poll clearly show motorists feel that drinking and driving don’t mix in any shape or form and that the best way forward for all concerned wherever you may happen to be in the UK is simply to adopt a zero tolerance approach.”