Crevits calls for lower drink-driving limit

Flanders’ mobility minister Hilde Crevits wants to begin talks on lowering the drink-driving limit in Belgium from 0.5 mg to 0.2mg alcohol per 1,000 millilitres. “Alcohol plays a role in one in three accidents,” said a spokesperson for the minister. “Too many people refuse to respect the current limit, so we have to do something about that.”

The alcohol limit in Belgium is the same as in the majority of European countries, including France, the Netherlands, Italy and Germany. It is generally accepted that this represents two glasses of wine or beer. The lower limit of 0.2 is enforced in Sweden and Norway, while the UK and Luxembourg allow a higher limit of 0.8 mg.

The proposed lower limit is part of the new Flanders Mobility Plan currently being discussed. The Belgian Institute for Road Safety says that a lower alcohol limit would have a significant impact on road accidents.

The decision to change the limit requires the agreement of the federal mobility minister Melchior Wathelet, who is not in favour of a lower limit, a spokesperson said. “The recent implementation of higher fines combined with drink-driving campaigns is more effective,” he said.