New EU driving laws may reduce car insurance

Posted :19-05-2006

The European Union has published proposals for a number of new anti-drink-driving measures, only for them to be opposed by the UK, according to The Times.

Typically among the staunchest advocates of stringent drink-driving penalties, the decision by the Department of Transport to block the proposals has caused dismay throughout Europe.

The UK had previously agreed to the legislation, which called for a pan-European reduction in the legal alcohol limit for drivers and a plan to harmonise drink-drive limits for all European countries. There were also plans to install speed limiters in cars.

Safety campaigners are baffled by the move, which they claim would not only reduce road deaths, but also lower car insurance premiums by cutting the number of accidents.

Indeed, Britain currently has the worst record for reducing the number of deaths on its roads, achieving a six per cent fall compared with a European average of 14 per cent.

The Times quoted Rob Gifford of the parliamentary road safety group, saying: "It is extremely disappointing to see the UK weakening the text when this country has always sought to be the leader.

"It seems hypocritical to try and fetter progress on issues such as speed limiters when the UK has already acknowledged that they have a role to play."


© Adfero Ltd

The views expressed within the article are entirely those of Adfero Ltd and are not those of BDML Connect Ltd