THE region's police and crime commissioners last night called on the Government to cut the drink-drive limit to the same as Scotland - meaning some drivers could fail a breath test after just one pint.

Vera Baird, Ron Hogg and Barry Coppinger – PCCs for Northumbria, Durham and Cleveland respectively – said slashing the legal limit will improve safety and save lives.

They have sent a letter to transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin urging him to act ahead of a debate in the House of Lords tomorrow.

The Lords are to discuss the idea after it was introduced by Lord Brooke of Alverthorpe as a Private Members' Bill.

The drink-drive limit in England and Wales is 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, but in Scotland it is lower at 50mg per 100ml of blood. Although there is no hard and fast rule, the lower limit means some drivers could fail a breath test after drinking a single pint of beer.

That absence of uniformity could cause confusion for people crossing the border from Northumberland, Ms Baird said.

She added: "I'm adding my support to the many local residents calling for a lower drink-drive limit.

"If we can get this into law now, I know that many lives will be saved in the weeks, months and years ahead.

"As the Northumbria force borders on to Scotland, many local residents could be abiding by the drink-drive limit in our region, but find themselves breaking the law in Scotland."

Mr Coppinger echoed the view that lowering the drink-drive limit could save lives.

He added: “I fully support any action to lower the drink drive limit which is why I have agreed, along with local PCCs Vera Baird and Ron Hogg, to write to Lord Brooke to raise the issue in a future parliamentary debate.

"Lowering the drink drive limit could save countless lives and could save families from the trauma of losing their loved ones.”

Mr Hogg said: "I've seen evidence of a significant reduction in accidents in Scotland as a result of the lower drink-drive limit.

"This made it clear to drivers that driving with alcohol in their system is a risk to road safety."

Lowering the limit in England and Wales in line with Scotland's would have saved about 25 lives last year, an RAC report released last month revealed.

Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said despite a rapid increase in traffic growth, the number of people killed in drink-drive accidents had fallen dramatically, down 85 per cent since 1979.

Mr Gooding said more could be done.

He added: "It would be a poor argument to suggest we should cut the drink-drive limit just because everyone else has done it. But this report makes the case on robust data and sound analysis.

"Policy in this area hasn't moved for half a century but in the face of this evidence it increasingly falls on opponents of a limit reduction to defend the status quo, rather than asking those who support a cut to keep making their case."

Road safety charity Brake said it was 'encouraging' that the PCCs were backing the call for lower drink-drive limits, but called for an even lower limit.

A spokesman said: "The drink-drive limit in England and Wales is currently far too high and gives the false impression to drivers that it is safe to drink small amounts of alcohol and get behind the wheel.

"Although it is encouraging to hear that the three police and crime commissioners are calling for the drink-drive limit to be lowered, Brake strongly believes that we need to go further and take a zero-tolerance approach.

"Drink-driving is still one of the biggest killers on our roads, causing untold devastation to families and communities every day.

"That is why Brake is calling for a limit of 20mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood.

"We also encourage all drivers to pledge never to drink a drop before getting behind the wheel, and continue to call for tougher penalties for drink-driving.”