Harm caused by alcohol and other drugs, including when driving under the influence, places an avoidable burden on individuals and our society, emergency services, the NHS, and the economy. Alcohol and drug related deaths were at a record high in 2021 and 2022. Collisions caused by driving under the influence continues to claim hundreds of lives across the UK each year. Therefore, the BMA, in collaboration with a range of organisations representing medical professional bodies, alcohol and road safety charities and campaign groups, police and emergency services, and others, have developed this consensus statement setting out key actions that are needed to tackle this issue.

It calls for:

• Reducing the legal blood alcohol content limit for driving
• Implementing accompanying measures to make the limit effective, such as adequate enforcement and education
• Increasing alcohol and drug treatment service capacity and capability
• Implementing other preventative policy mechanisms, such as media campaigns to inform the public of health risks and dangers of driving under the influence, and mandatory labelling.