PRESS RELEASE

1 July 2014

Keep your personal drink-drive limit at zero when abroad, urges GEM Motoring Assist

ROAD SAFETY ANDbreakdown organisation GEM Motoring Assist is encouraging holiday drivers to be mindful of the lower drink-drive limits in force across Europe this summer.

GEM chief executive David Williams MBE says: "The best way to stay safe and legal is by never drinking and driving, so we recommend you keep your personal drink-drive limit to zero, wherever you may be on holiday."

The blood alcohol content (BAC) limit defines the maximum legal amount of alcohol that is permitted to be in the blood for people to drive in a particular country. In the UK, this is currently 0.08 (equivalent to 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood).

Drink-drive limits across Europe, with the exception of Malta, are all lower than the UK. Many countries have a standard limit of 0.05, although in Norway, Sweden, Latvia, Poland and Estonia the limit is just 0.02. In the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia there is a zero limit.

David Williams comments: "Around 25% of the 26,000 annual fatalities on European roads are alcohol related¹.

"Although you can legally drive in the UK at the alcohol limit of 0.08, doing the same thing in Hungary or Norway could put you in prison. Moreover, figures show that a driver with an 0.08 alcohol level will be 2.7 times more likely to crash than a sober driver².

"There is no reliable way to calculate how much alcohol you can drink and stay below the limit. So eliminate the guesswork and reduce your risk by alwayssteering clear of alcohol before driving.

"Summer holidays are the time to relax and enjoy good weather, good company and hopefully some wonderful scenic road trips, whether in Europe or beyond. Sensible journey planning can ensure you never need to drive after drinking alcohol."

For specific country-by-country information on rules, risks, facts and figures, please visit motoringassist.com/europe

 Follow GEM on Twitter @MotoringAssist for the latest industry news.

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References:

1http://ec.europa.eu/transport/road_safety/specialist/knowledge/alcohol/index_en.htm

2www.etsc.eu/documents/Drink_Driving_Towards_Zero_Tolerance.pdf

GEM Motoring Assist provides two levels of recovery service; Recovery EXTRA and Recovery RECLAIM, to suit all needs and pockets. All GEM policies also include free Accident Management, so members are also fully covered in this area. 

GEM provides a unique, comprehensive and competitively-priced Roadside Assistance and Vehicle Recovery Service. GEM has also been voted number one for Breakdown Cover in the 2013, 2011, 2010 and 2008 Auto Express Driver Power Survey, and runners-up in 2012 and 2009. 

GEM Motoring Assist is a trading name of The Guild of Experienced Motorists, established in 1932, as an independent driver-based road safety association. GEM's aim is to improve safety for all road users through the sponsorship and initiation of accident prevention measures throughout the UK and to provide motoring and safety information to its own members. Member benefits include a quarterly magazine, free literature and advice and discounts on insurances and other services. 

Press information: David Williams MBE, Chief Executive of GEM Motoring Assist, is available for comment on 01342-825676 (office) or 07711450560 (mobile).  David Williams was awarded the MBE in 1998 for services to road safety. Alternatively you can emailpress@motoringassist.comfor any further information.