Breath tests results were little better than those from 1997, say police

There were 60 fewer crashes causing injuries this Christmas than in 2003, but police say there has been no real drop in drink-driving for seven years.

Of the 11,685 breath tests taken in two weeks, 8.75% were positive - only just below the 9.11% from 1997.

The blood-alcohol limit should be 50mg not 80mg, says the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO).

Richard Brunstrom, ACPO's spokesman on road policing, said: "A worrying proportion of those involved in collisions are still driving having consumed alcohol."

"I again reiterate my strong belief that it is time the Government followed the European Commission Recommendation that the blood alcohol limit be lowered from 80mg to 50mg."

More breath tests were taken in 2004 and the percentage of positive tests was marginally down on last year .

But Mr Brunstrom added: "The sad fact is, that in 2004 a similar percentage of drivers in collisions ... over the Christmas and New Year period had been drinking to excess as in 1997."

For some, the 50mg limit does not go far enough.

Carole Whittingham, the founder of Support and Care After Road Death and Injury (Scard), whose son was killed in a drink-drive accident, said drivers should not be allowed to drink at all.

The solution is easy - have a zero limit Carole Whittingham, campaigner

"I think to a certain extent the problem is that people are confused by how much they think they can drink, because they don't know how much they are allowed," she said.

"People used to have one pint and they would be pretty much within the limit, but now there is such a range of beers, bottles and spirits of different strengths it is very difficult to tell how much you have drunk.