Deaths from alcohol at record high in England

[Nearly Sane]

Not currently convinced by minimum pricing though will be interesting to see if the recent rise has any effect. It feels like the sort of preventative measure that would appeal to the Labour government based on their rhetoric on the NHS.


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c7ve155r1d9o

[jeremyp]

If it works in Scotland, I'd be in favour of minimum pricing

[Nearly Sane]

If it works in Scotland, I'd be in favour of minimum pricing

I think the perception was that it wasn't but this could be evidence that it is more effective than was thought since the divergence is over the period that it's been in place. Of course the level in Scotland is still higher.

[jeremyp]

I think the perception was that it wasn't but this could be evidence that it is more effective than was thought since the divergence is over the period that it's been in place. Of course the level in Scotland is still higher.

The article says that last year there was no rise in Scotland. That's not great but it's better than an increasing trend. Of course we don't know that the flattening was due to alcohol pricing.

[Nearly Sane]

The article says that last year there was no rise in Scotland. That's not great but it's better than an increasing trend. Of course we don't know that the flattening was due to alcohol pricing.

Which is why I was suggesting that the increase in England is evidence that minimum pricing may be having an effect given that it's about as close as you get to a trial with the countries being so close generally. It would certainly be an argument that I could see the Labour govt using.

The point about the higher rate in Scotland was just in case it looked like I was ignoring it in terms of what differences there are. I don't think it makes a difference to the case.

[Roses]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m00261bz/morning-live-series-6-19122024 Today's episode of 'Morning Live' is worth watching. A man lost his children and a friend when a drink driver, going at a tremendous speed, hit their car. No one should drive after drinking alcohol, even a small amount, imo.

[Nearly Sane]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m00261bz/morning-live-series-6-19122024 Today's episode of 'Morning Live' is worth watching. A man lost his children and a friend when a drink driver, going at a tremendous speed, hit their car. No one should drive after drinking alcohol, even a small amount, imo.

I wonder if the Labour Govt might reduce the limit to what it is in Scotland? Again this would seem to be in line with the rhetoric of prevention.

[jeremyp]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m00261bz/morning-live-series-6-19122024 Today's episode of 'Morning Live' is worth watching. A man lost his children and a friend when a drink driver, going at a tremendous speed, hit their car. No one should drive after drinking alcohol, even a small amount, imo.

How much alcohol was in this man's blood? If he was a few times over the limit, reducing it will not prevent people like him from doing this sort of thing in the future.

I'm  not necessarily against reducing the limit but I would like to know that the measure will save more lives.

[Roses]

How much alcohol was in this man's blood? If he was a few times over the limit, reducing it will not prevent people like him from doing this sort of thing in the future.

I'm  not necessarily against reducing the limit but I would like to know that the measure will save more lives.

No doubt that man was well over the limit. However, even a very  small amount of alcohol can impair a person's ability to drive as well as they should. I have never had any alcohol before driving. I have never been drunk. My husband's medication makes it unwise for him to have a drink, so I don't either. I don't miss having a drink, neither does he.

[Nearly Sane]

How much alcohol was in this man's blood? If he was a few times over the limit, reducing it will not prevent people like him from doing this sort of thing in the future.

I'm  not necessarily against reducing the limit but I would like to know that the measure will save more lives.

it doesn't appear to do so on its own given the experience in Scotland

https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/road-safety/drink-driving-in-the-uk/

[jeremyp]

No doubt that man was well over the limit.

Lowering the limit would probably have little effect on people like that.

However, even a very  small amount of alcohol can impair a person's ability to drive as well as they should.

Can you define "a very small amount"? I wouldn't be surprised if most people have very small amounts of alcohol in their bodies for some definition of "very small".

What is the increased risk of somebody driving at just below the legal limit compared to somebody driving sober or with whatever reduced limit you are proposing?

I have never had any alcohol before driving. I have never been drunk. My husband's medication makes it unwise for him to have a drink, so I don't either. I don't miss having a drink, neither does he.

That's very admirable. However, what do you think the risk would be if somebody went out for dinner, had a glass of wine with their food and then drove home an hour later. How impaired do you think they would be? What do you think the increased risk is? Should they lose their licence?