Footballer says sorry for crash

A footballer who was involved in a drink-drive car crash almost a year ago in which two children died has apologised.

Luke McCormick, the former Plymouth Argyle goalkeeper, has written a letter to Amanda and Phil Peak.

In it he apologises for the crash, in which the Peaks’ sons – ten-year-old Arron and eight-year-old Ben – were killed.

Mrs Peak told the newspaper: "We’ve had a letter from Luke. It is private, but he has shown remorse and that has helped us."

She added that the couple had been asking for the letter for "a long time", stating that she felt he had not shown remorse.

Mr McCormick was sentenced to seven years and four months after he pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.

It was revealed that the goalkeeper was driving at speeds of up to 90mph while over the drink-drive limit.

Nio change to drink drive limit

The government last year changed its mind about reducing the drink and drive limit from 80 to 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood despite the fact that Britain will become the only country in Europe that allows motorists to have an alcoholic drink and still be legally fit to drive.

In mainland Europe, the limit is either 50mg or 20mg.

Despite an indication last year that the Government was in favour of moving to a 50mg limit, the road safety minister, Jim Fitzpatrick, has told The Times newspaper that a forthcoming consultation document will not propose a lower limit, saying: “Drivers who are between 50 and 80mg are not the ones we are most worried about. It’s the ones above 100.”

A spokesperson for the Environmental Transport Association (ETA) said: “Not only is the current system confusing, but it is a cultural as well as legal acceptance of ‘drinking-a-bit’ and driving.”

Drink driving limits should be reduced

In the Netherlands the limit is 50mg and in Sweden 20mg. Both countries have been more successful than Britain in reducing drink-drive crashes.

What is the ETA?

The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Twenty seven years on, we continue to offer home insurance, cycle insurance, travel insurance and breakdown cover while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.