A Scottish man whose partner was killed by a drunk driver has thrown his support behind calls for a drastically lower drink drive limit across the UK.

Charles Pease, 69, lost his partner Theresa Wade when she was killed in a horror crash on the Isle of Mull in 2015. The 29-year-old vet died when Thomas Wainwright ploughed his hired Maserati into her van after an eight-hour drinking binge.

Now Charles backs the campaign by road safety charity Brake for a lower drink drive limit in UK law, slashing the legal blood alcohol limit to just 20mg per 100ml of blood – meaning as little as half a pint could put drivers over the limit.

Killer Goes on the Run

Wainwright’s alleged escape while on parole has thrust the tragedy back into the spotlight this week. Courts jailed him for 12 years in 2017 but authorities released him early in 2023 after he served half his sentence.

Charles said he’s “absolutely appalled” by the development. “It’s a sad reflection on the Scottish judicial system and the sooner authorities take him back into custody, the better. Him being at large will put others at risk.”

Wainwright had downed five ciders and two whiskies before getting behind the wheel of the high-powered sports car. He initially tried to blame Theresa for the crash until the truth emerged in court.

Push for Tougher Limits

Charles believes a reduced alcohol limit could prevent similar tragedies. “I support it. It will take people off the roads that would otherwise be placing others in potential jeopardy,” he said.

“It has been almost 10 years since I lost Theresa and she continues to be very much on my mind. She would, I’m sure, have definitely advocated for a reduction in the limit.”

Scotland already has the UK’s toughest drink-drive laws, cutting the limit from 80mg per 100ml of blood to 50mg in 2014. England and Wales still operate the higher 80mg limit.

Shocking Statistics

Despite Scotland’s lower drink drive limit, official data shows the problem persists. Over 5,500 drink and drug driving offences were recorded last year – the highest figure since 2021.

Brake campaigns for a lower drink drive limit in UK legislation to virtually eliminate drink-driving with the proposed 20mg limit. Research shows that just one or two drinks make motorists six times more likely to cause a fatal crash.

The charity’s evidence is stark: “Every year, more than 200 people die in drink-driving incidents on UK roads. Some people think driving after one or two drinks is safe, but drinking any alcohol can affect our driving and increase our risk of a crash.”

Medical Support

The British Medical Association backed a reduced alcohol limit of 20mg for new and commercial drivers last year, acknowledging that even small amounts of alcohol impair driving ability.

Charles, who described his partner as “generous, kind and loving,” said her life was “snuffed out by one foolish person.” He wants to see zero tolerance of drink-driving.

“Ultimately I would like to see zero tolerance of drink driving. It’s shameful anyone still drinks and drives,” he said.

Government Response

A Scottish Government spokesman acknowledged the devastating impact of drink-driving, stating: “Any injury or death as a result of drink driving is one too many.”

The government defended Scotland’s decision to introduce the UK’s lower drink drive limit, saying it was “based on independent scientific evidence of when impairment begins to increase significantly, bringing Scotland into line with the majority of other European countries.”

The Scottish Prison Service confirmed it would “return Wainwright to prison when authorities apprehend him.”

As Charles continues to grieve for Theresa nearly a decade after her death, he hopes a lower drink drive limit in UK policy could spare other families from enduring similar heartbreak. The campaign represents not just a policy change, but a chance to prevent needless deaths on UK roads.

Source: dbrecoveryresources