THE tragic deaths of two close friends in a car crash while one was over the drink-drive limit has prompted a coroner to write to the Government calling for a change in the law.
Dr Robert Hunter wants to see the current alcohol limit reduced to zero to prevent more deaths on the roads.
The deputy coroner for Cheshire made the comments at the inquest into Stuart English, 30, of Chester, who died after crashing his BMW last October. Friend Martin Barber, 29, a qualified accident investigator, was also killed in the smash on the A41 in Chester.
Mr English, managing director of S English Property Management of Tarporley, had 246mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood. The limit is 80mg.
Dr Hunter told the inquest: "At present in this country, it falls on drivers to decide whether of not they are fit to drive after drinking alcohol.
"I feel obliged to write to the Home Secretary to ask that a review of alcohol limits is undertaken with regard to drink-driving. I think it would be clearer for everyone in society if the limit was zero."
The limit was set in January 1966 when the Road Safety Bill was introduced but is higher in most European countries, which have a 50mg limit. Experts say an average size man drinking normal strength beer can have about two pints under the current rules.
But the Government has always been reluctant to state how many units a motorists can drink because so many factors can have an affect such as gender, weight, metabolism and the type of alcohol consumed.
Many road safety campaigners think the grey area causes more problems for drivers. But some motoring organisations, including the AA, insist a zero limit would create havoc for motorists without saving any more lives.
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