EU and Drink Driving Laws - Safety or Sovereignty?

12.00.00am GMT Thu 25th Jan 2001

A letter from Diana Wallis MEP to Editors of the region's newspapers.

Dear Sir,

I would be interested to know the views of your readers on a matter that will be on the agenda of the European Parliament during the coming months. Last week the Parliament voted by a reasonable majority to ask the Commission to bring forward a Directive for a harmonised Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of no more than 0.5 mg/ml - the limit in the UK and certain other EU countries is currently higher at 0.8 mg/ml, so we would have to change. I voted for this proposal on straightforward safety grounds.

A total harmonisation of BAC levels across the EU would provide a clearer, more consistent message to drivers of the dangers of drink driving. Different levels in different Member States are potentially confusing and weaken the message that drunk driving is dangerous. Experts estimate that this could save up to 1000 lives a year, not to mention the devastation caused to the families of those killed in such accidents.

Some MEPs felt that this is a matter strictly for national governments and that Europe should not interfere. Yet on the same day we voted without a second thought, on a Directive to protect wildlife habitats across Europe. I would have thought that protection of human life is even more important than protecting wildlife habitats.

If we encourage our citizens to travel cross Europe we should be prepared to legislate for their safety. What do your readers think? Email me via my website: www.dianawallismep.org.uk, or write to Diana Wallis MEP, Land of Green Ginger, Hull HU1 2EA.

Yours sincerely,

Diana Wallis MEP