Local MEP votes for Tougher Drink Driving Laws

12.00.00am GMT Fri 19th Jan 2001

The European Parliament voted on Thursday 18th January to strengthen European Commission efforts to improve road safety throughout the European Union.

Among the most important measures supported by Yorkshire and the Humber Euro-MP, Diana Wallis, was to acknowledge the very serious problem of drink driving. She has supported a Commission suggestion that there be a maximum blood alcohol limit of 0.5 parts per thousand throughout the European Union, lower than the current limit in the UK.

Commenting on the vote, Diana Wallis, Liberal Democrat MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber, said:

"It is essential that all levels of government demonstrate an unequivocal commitment to reducing the number of deaths on our roads. In particular we must all do our utmost to combat the scourge of drink driving.

"I am also wholly in favour of improved regulation of car fronts. Around 2,000 cyclists and pedestrians die each year throughout the EU, and many more are seriously injured, as a result of poorly designed car fronts.

"There is already widespread agreement on the need for this but it is important that the European Parliament is applying pressure to speed up the process."

Other issues addressed by the Parliament's report include the working hours of professional drivers and encouragement for both freight and passengers to use other forms of transport. Road accidents are the most common cause of death amongst children and people under 45 years in the EU.