91997E3702

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3702/97 by Marjo Matikainen-Kallström (PPE) to the Commission (19 November 1997)

Subject: Reduction and harmonization of drink-driving limits in the European Union

Every year some 45 000 people die on the roads of the EU Member States and one and a half million are injured. It is estimated that alcohol plays some part in at least half of fatal traffic accidents.

The drink-driving limits vary considerably between the EU Member States. For example, in Denmark, Italy and Germany the legal limit is 0.8 ml whereas in Sweden, which has the strictest limit, it is 0.2 ml. The harmonization of the limits - which in most cases would mean the reduction of the limit - at for example the Swedish level of 0.2 ml would undoubtedly have a positive effect on road safety. Maximising the safety advantages would of course call for a widespread change in attitudes, increased effectiveness of controls and the modernization of control mechanisms.

In the light of the above, what measures does the Commission propose taking to explore the possibility of harmonizing and reducing the drink-driving limits in the various Member States? What measures does it intend to take to find out how traffic controls can be tightened in order to eradicate drunken driving more effectively?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (20 January 1998)

The Commission first put a proposal for a Council Directive to set the maximum Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) for vehicle drivers at 0.50 milligram per millilitre in 1988 ((OJ C 25, 31.1.1989. )) and it was approved by the Parliament in May 1989. At that time, however, and for most of the period since, support for such a proposal from Member States has not been broad enough to ensure progress with such Community legislation.

Recent changes in policy by some Member States have, however, encouraged the Commission to reopen the debate on the permitted maximum BAC for drivers, and last October, the Transport Council was urged to reconsider the issue. Further efforts are now being made against the background of the strategy for improving road safety and reducing road accidents and casualties that was set out in the Commission's communication on that subject in April 1997.

The Commission shares the opinion expressed by the Honourable Member that, to maximise the safety gains, legislation on drink driving needs to be accompanied by effective measures of enforcement, most of which fall under the legal responsibility of Member States.