FRESH calls for the drink drive limit to be lowered have been made to save lives, make roads safer and bring the country in line with European standards.

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill is putting pressure on the government “to stop playing Russian roulette with people’s lives” and change the law.

In England and Wales, the alcohol limit for drivers is 80 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood (35 microgrammes per 100 millilitres of breath).

The limit is less in most other European countries.

The Local Government Association (LGA) is calling for the current limit to be lowered from 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, a move it says could save 170 lives in the first year.

Adding his voice to the campaign Mr Underhill said: “Without justification or clear rationale, the drink drive limit in England and Wales remains out of kilter with European standards.

“With the Maltese announcing their intention to cut the drink drive limit by a third, we will soon have the highest drink drive threshold in Europe. In spite of many calls for the limit to be reduced, the government remains unmoved on the issue.”

Writing on his blog, Mr Underhill said the government had responded to calls from the LGA by saying rigorous enforcement and severe penalties were more effective than changing the limit – a response he questions.

He added: “We know that any level of blood alcohol impairs driving. Yet from speaking with residents, it is clear that nobody conclusively knows what they can ‘get away with’ under the current rules.

“It’s time that we stop playing Russian roulette with people’s lives. A lower alcohol limit, where one drink could cost you your licence, would more effectively deter motorists from drinking at all before getting behind the wheel.”

Mr Underhill said lowering the limit in Scotland has resulted in a reduction in drink driving offences and a shift in attitudes.

In France, motorists are required to carry breathalyser kits so that they can test themselves.

“Our roads are among the safest in Europe, but that doesn’t mean that we should turn a blind eye to opportunities to make them even safer,” Mr Underhill said.

He added: “Despite government complacency, we haven’t achieved any consistent reduction in drink drive related deaths since 2010.

“In line with my pledge, I will continue to lobby the government to lower the drink drive limit to finally send a clear message to drivers that the only safe amount to drink and drive is none.”