Bereaved dad welcomes drink-drive limit rethink

The father of a teenager killed by a drunk driver has welcomed proposed legislation to lower the drink driving limit.

In its road safety strategy, the government proposed reducing the drink-drive limit in England and Wales from 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath to 22 micrograms.

It would also require some convicted drink-drivers to fit alcolocks to their vehicles, which prevent them from being started unless they pass a breath test.

Peter Funnell from Biddenden, Kent, whose son Will died in 2014, aged 19, said alcolocks were "a brilliant idea" and "should be more widespread than just people that have been convicted before".

Funnell said his son was "a hard-working boy" but also "the life and soul of the party".

"He was just great to be with," he said.

"Everyone that came into contact with him, or knew him, loved him. He was just one in a million."

The drink-drive limit in England and Wales is currently the highest in Europe alongside Malta.

Funnell told BBC Radio Kent it was "a step forward".

"I think in this day and age now it's not acceptable."

Speaking ahead of the government announcement, Kent Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott told the BBC he would welcome a lower limit.

He said: "I agree with that approach because there can be no doubt then.

"One for the road is too much."

He also supported the alcolocks proposal, but said legislators should "make sure we put everything in place" to stop drunk drivers from using other vehicles, including "taking licences away and meaningful bans".

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