What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks

Public-house enemy number one

I know this is not really your department, but being honest is. I get the feeling we are being railroaded into having lower drink drive limits. The constant reference to lower levels in Europe, although correct in certain countries, does not reflect the true situation. In many if you are caught over the limit you do not lose your licence on a first offence and in some, when you do, if you drive for a living you can continue Monday to Friday and hand the car in at weekends and holidays while the ban lasts. This not only keeps you working but saves the Government money by not shelling out Dole because you can't work. It is the same with the Road Pricing Lobby. Ok, you pay for Autoroutes in France, for example, but you do not pay an annual road fund licence. And they conveniently forget to mention that the normal non-toll A roads are a lot better than our motorways anyway and all French roads are far better surfaced. I had hoped our new Government would keep away from new laws for a while at least.

Asked on 28 August 2010 by KJ, via email

Answered by Honest John
I agree and I am very angry with the IAM for blindly supporting this without thinking through the potential consequences. It's a 'hangover' from the old government that our new government was too busy trying to sort out the country to notice. You are correct that, with the lower limit, the drink drive laws work far less onerously in some
EU countries, but not all. If the lower limit is applied and prosecutions made, especially ‘morning after’, thousands will lose their jobs with no prospect of ever working again at the same level and the likelihood is that no lives will be saved because the deterrent is no different for habitual heavy drinkers. Unfortunately the Gov will probably have to take up Rothschilds plan for road pricing to pay off the labour debt, but it’s ironic that the rich will get even richer as a result.
Similar questions
You appear to know about motoring law than most people I know, so I wonder if you could resolve a minor issue between me and my son? Next week he has to attend a stag do to celebrate the marriage of an...
I have not driven for five months but hope to start again in the next few weeks. I feel my driving should be assessed for safety reasons as I am now sixty eight and almost certainly have picked up one...
As promised, my experience with the IAM Drive Check 55 you recommended me to take. I received a letter within a couple of days of booking, selected a local branch and e-mailed them. It took a few days...
 

Value my car

Save £75 on Warranty using code HJ75

with MotorEasy

Get a warranty quote

Save 12% on GAP Insurance

Use HJ21 to save on an ALA policy

See offer