Holly Connell
Assignment 11D
Alcohol and drug laws
P6 and M4: Discussion and effectiveness
Section 4 of the road traffic act (1988) makes it an offence to drive a vehicle while
under the influence of drugs or alcohol.1 This is because they can impact risk taking,
reaction speed and coordination. In England the legal alcohol limit for driving is 80mg per
100ml of blood or 35 micrograms per 100ml of breath. A person suspected of drink driving
will be asked to blow into a breathalyser, if for a valid reason they cannot then they can take
a blood test. If they fail or refuse the tests they will be arrested. Each drug, legal and
illegal, has an individual limit based on how much they impact driving. Illegal drugs are
set very low, but not zero to account for passive exposure.2Evidence of drug consumption
can be tested at the road side or the police station. These rules exist because drink/drug
driving falls under ‘dangerous driving’ in section 2 of the legislation.3 Causing death by
dangerous driving carries the maximum sentence of life imprisonment. The legislation
helps investigators as knowing the suitability of a driver at the time of an accident can help
identify who is at fault.
The legislation is effective, but not completely. Many still continue to drink. However the
rules still create significantly safer roads, as studies have shown.4 Reduced quantities for
legal limits have a correlation with a reduced number of traffic accidents.
D4: Evaluation of the purpose and effectiveness of the legislation, plus
suggestions for improvements
There is evidence that the legislation is needed, as substances can dangerously impact
driving. However, alcohol and drugs can affect people in different ways at different amounts,
and in some cases under the legal limit. I would suggest the legislation be improved by
the legal limit changing to a zero tolerance policy, therefore leaving no room for potential
dangers.
As for its effectiveness, the number of accidents caused by drink driving in the UK has
decreased since 20025, but in 2020 140,000 people admitted to driving while believing to be
over the limit5. So it is clear the legislation, or at least its enforcement, is not yet perfect.
Speeding
P6 and M4: Discussion and effectiveness
The 1967 road traffic act states that it is not legal to drive on a restricted road above
30mph.6 Restricted roads are roads in built up areas. This is because these areas have the
most pedestrian and road activity, increasing the risk of harm to person or property. The
legislation also states there is a duty for local authority to provide proper signage of area
speed limits. This not only helps drivers but aids investigators who can use information of
1 Road Traffic Act 1988, Section 2
2 Road Traffic - Drink and Drug Driving | The Crown Prosecution Service
3 Alcohol and drug driving | Metropolitan Police
4 Road Traffic Regulation Act 1967 - Speed limits
5 Road Traffic Act 1960 - Minimum Age for Driving
6 https://www.hsl.gov.uk/publications-and-products/transport-safety/what-the-law-says
Assignment 11D
Alcohol and drug laws
P6 and M4: Discussion and effectiveness
Section 4 of the road traffic act (1988) makes it an offence to drive a vehicle while
under the influence of drugs or alcohol.1 This is because they can impact risk taking,
reaction speed and coordination. In England the legal alcohol limit for driving is 80mg per
100ml of blood or 35 micrograms per 100ml of breath. A person suspected of drink driving
will be asked to blow into a breathalyser, if for a valid reason they cannot then they can take
a blood test. If they fail or refuse the tests they will be arrested. Each drug, legal and
illegal, has an individual limit based on how much they impact driving. Illegal drugs are
set very low, but not zero to account for passive exposure.2Evidence of drug consumption
can be tested at the road side or the police station. These rules exist because drink/drug
driving falls under ‘dangerous driving’ in section 2 of the legislation.3 Causing death by
dangerous driving carries the maximum sentence of life imprisonment. The legislation
helps investigators as knowing the suitability of a driver at the time of an accident can help
identify who is at fault.
The legislation is effective, but not completely. Many still continue to drink. However the
rules still create significantly safer roads, as studies have shown.4 Reduced quantities for
legal limits have a correlation with a reduced number of traffic accidents.
D4: Evaluation of the purpose and effectiveness of the legislation, plus
suggestions for improvements
There is evidence that the legislation is needed, as substances can dangerously impact
driving. However, alcohol and drugs can affect people in different ways at different amounts,
and in some cases under the legal limit. I would suggest the legislation be improved by
the legal limit changing to a zero tolerance policy, therefore leaving no room for potential
dangers.
As for its effectiveness, the number of accidents caused by drink driving in the UK has
decreased since 20025, but in 2020 140,000 people admitted to driving while believing to be
over the limit5. So it is clear the legislation, or at least its enforcement, is not yet perfect.
Speeding
P6 and M4: Discussion and effectiveness
The 1967 road traffic act states that it is not legal to drive on a restricted road above
30mph.6 Restricted roads are roads in built up areas. This is because these areas have the
most pedestrian and road activity, increasing the risk of harm to person or property. The
legislation also states there is a duty for local authority to provide proper signage of area
speed limits. This not only helps drivers but aids investigators who can use information of
1 Road Traffic Act 1988, Section 2
2 Road Traffic - Drink and Drug Driving | The Crown Prosecution Service
3 Alcohol and drug driving | Metropolitan Police
4 Road Traffic Regulation Act 1967 - Speed limits
5 Road Traffic Act 1960 - Minimum Age for Driving
6 https://www.hsl.gov.uk/publications-and-products/transport-safety/what-the-law-says
