Zero tolerance for drink-driving Russians

Vodka-loving Russians will think twice before getting behind the wheel from today as their country’s zero tolerance drink-driving law comes into force.

Lawmakers scrapped the previous rules last month, which had allowed drivers to enjoy a beer or glass of wine. That’s equivalent to 0.3 grams of alcohol per litre of blood.

But many ignored that limit, forcing the change in the law.

Traffic police say more than two thousand people died in drink-driving accidents in Russia last year.

The legislation is part of the government’s self-declared crusade against alcohol abuse.

Other plans include minimum pricing and restrictions on advertising in a bid to halve alcohol consumption by 2020.

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