drink driving

1st law - drink driving an offence - no clear definition, tolerant, not serious, government had no interest, no blood : alcohol = 1925

only 5% of households owned a car = 1951

public perception changed - all new cars had to have fitted seat belts = 1966

Road safety act - blood alcohol limit of 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood = 1967

car ownership had risen to 55% = 1971

High risk offender scheme - introduced for convicted drivers with an alcohol problem , e.g. drivers who have been disqualified for drink driving, now have to undergo a medical

a new offence of causing death by driving while under the influence was a compulsory prison sentence of up to 5 years = 1991

prison sentence was increased to 14 years = 2014

new laws reflect growing public intolerance

e.g.

campaigns:

1st advertisement campaign - 50 years ago and the fall in deaths was down partly to the campaign - targeting specific groups e.g. young men

important factor in changing public perceptions of drink driving e.g. 1979