On this day in 1965, the government announced it was to introduce a blood alcohol limit for drivers in the UK. Anyone found to be driving when over the set limit would be penalised in the hope it would deter drivers from drink driving and make roads safer. The move came as the number of road accidents continued to rise despite a press campaign highlighting the dangers of drink driving. Existing road safety laws were also to be reinforced in a major crackdown by the government. A government spokesman announcing the plans said as yet it was unknown what the blood alcohol limit would be or how it would be tested.
The Home Office and police were to enforce the new law when it was revealed in the Road safety Bill expected the following year.
The move was part of the government's campaign to make people take more care on the roads and look out for themselves, other drivers and pedestrians.
In January 1966 the new Road Safety Bill was introduced. It set a limit of 80mg of alcohol in 1000cc of blood and it became an offence to drive when over this limit.
In 1967 the breathalyser was introduced as a way of testing a person's blood alcohol level.
The introduction of the drink drive limit dramatically reduced the number of accidents caused by being drunk when driving. However campaigners and the government continued to promote the 'Don't drink and drive' message.
