“We should dare to consider going for 0%”

According to the Governor of West Flanders Carl Decaluwé (Christian democrat), “We should dare to consider reducing the drink-driving limit to 0%”. Mr Decaluwé was speaking after “Road Safety Night” during which thousands of drivers were tested for alcohol at locations across East and West Flanders. Around 5% of the drivers that were tested were found to be over the limit. This is up on the figures for last year.

In East Flanders, Governor Jan Briers (nationalist) says that he is very disappointed at what were the worst drink-driving figures in 4 years. “We see an increase in alcohol abuse behind the wheel and this is deeply regrettable. We wanted to first and foremost carry out an awareness campaign for “Road Safety Night”. We thought that a lot of people would have been made aware, but it clearly hasn’t helped”.

The picture was even worse in West Flanders where 6% more drivers were over the limit than this time last year. In West Flanders the “Road Safety Night” was in fact two nights (Friday and Saturday).

The Governor of West Flanders Carl Decaluwé (photo) believes that zero tolerance is the only answer to the issue of drink-driving. "Despite all manner of awareness campaigns, the 0.5% limit is not enough. We should dare to consider going for 0% like in Scandinavia where it delivered results straight away. This is the first time in years that it has risen again. We need to be stricter.” A total of 67 drivers had their licences taken of them during the “Road Safety Night” in East and West Flanders.

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