4.2 how social changes affect policy development (example 1)

changes in public perception example

drink driving

1925

the first law on drink driving is passed, but there was no limit or definition on what 'drunk' was

1951

car ownership is increasing, 15% of the UK own a car

1966

all new cars are fitted with seat belts

1967

Road Safety act is introduced, stating a blood alcohol limit of 80mg per 100 ml

1968

the first breathalysers are introduced

this helped reduce road deaths by over 1,100 and serious injuries by over 11,000

the proportion of accidents involving alcohol fell from around 25% to 15%

1971

55% of the UK own a car, and the number of car related deaths is 8,000 a year

1983

High Risk Offenders Scheme - anyone with more than one alcohol offence undergoes a medical before they can have their license reinstated

1991

death by driving under the influence is given a 5 year prison sentence

2014

the prison sentence is increased to 14 years

2014 THINK

THINK!'s campaign survey finds that 91% of people agree that drink driving is unacceptable and 92% said they would feel ashamed if they were caught

How many accidents in England Wales involve a driver over the alcohol limit?

1 in 8 road deaths

What are the UK charity Brake campaigning for?

for the limit to be reduced from 80mg/ml to 20

explain how laws can be influenced by public perception [4]

Public perception can be linked to the change in laws such as those surrounding drink driving. In 1925, drink driving became a criminal offence though there was no legal alcohol blood limit. By 1971, 55% of the UK owned a car and road related accidents and deaths were on a rise, particularly those linked to alcohol consumption. Many campaigns used TV advertising to push the dangers of drink driving into public consciousness, and in 1991 deaths caused by drunk driving were punishable by 5 years in prison. By 2014, this had increased to 14 years and the number of road related accidents and deaths began to decrease. A survey by THINK! found that 91% of people agreed that drink driving was wrong. This demonstrates that as public perceptions change, the law and sentencing guidelines will reflect these views.