Scotland to reduce drink-drive limit (2014)

The Scottish government has announced plans to reduce the country's drink-drive limit in time for Christmas.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has taken steps which, if approved by the Scottish Parliament, would mean a new limit being introduced on 5 December.

Under the plans, Scotland's blood alcohol limit would be cut from 80mg to 50mg in every 100ml of blood.

It would mean the legal limit in Scotland would be lower than in England - where the limit is 80mg in blood.

In practice the change in Scotland could mean a glass of wine or a pint of beer would put a driver over the legal limit.

Draft legislation has been laid before parliament, and will bring Scotland's legal alcohol limits in line with much of Europe.

A public awareness campaign will warn drivers not to drink at all.

Save lives
Mr MacAskill said drinking and driving shattered families and communities, and that it was time to take action to reduce the risk on the country's roads.

He told BBC Scotland the plans to change the drink-drive limit had "broad support".

The justice secretary said: "The support comes not just from the police and law enforcement. It comes from those involved in road safety."

Asked why the government didn't simply apply a zero tolerance approach, Mr MacAskill said: "There are reasons why individuals may have alcohol in their system. It is also quite clear at the 50 (mg) limit, that is when impairment begins to kick in."

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) welcomed the move, and called for the rest of the UK to follow suit.

The drink-drive limit in the UK is currently 80mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood.

However - like Scotland - the limit in Northern Ireland could be reduced from 80mg in blood to 50mg as part of proposals included in the Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill.

The bill is currently being considered by the Northern Ireland Assembly and could become law by early next year.

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Sandy Allan, RoSPA's Road Safety Manager in Scotland, said he believed the move would save lives and prevent injuries on Scotland's roads.

He added: "There is a considerable body of research which shows that reducing drink drive limits is effective in reducing drink-drive deaths and injuries. We would like to see the rest of the UK follow Scotland's example."

'Blatantly blitzed'
When asked about why a joint approach with the Westminster government on the issue was not agreed, Mr MacAskill said: "We did seek that, but it was the United Kingdom government that decided not to lower the limit despite, I think, a great deal of public support for it being lowered down there."

The latest estimates are that approximately one in 10 deaths on Scottish roads involve drivers who are over the legal limit.

Research has suggested that just one alcoholic drink before driving can make you three times as likely to be involved in a fatal car crash.

However, speaking on BBC Radio Scotland, George Goldie from the Institute of Advanced Motorists, said he did not believe the change would improve road safety and he questioned the motivation behind it saying it would "increase income" gathered from fines.

He added: "We have very few statistics, if any, to show how many accidents are caused by people who are marginally over the limit. Most of the accidents are caused by people who are blatantly blitzed.

"I'm much more concerned about improving driving, as opposed to improving the one in 10. I am much, much more interested in improving the nine in 10."

The Scottish government previously announced its intention to reduce the limit following a consultation which found almost three quarters of those who responded backed the move.

Source, BBC

As the George fellow says - what about the other 9 out of 10 deaths??

And a majority of the 1 in 10 deaths will still occur by changing the law - as drunk drivers will still get drunk and drive and are probably way over the old limit anyway.

Seems like a money making idea - I wonder how many in the first few months will be done for being between 50-80 mg the day after a skinful.

More police on the roads around closing time would be a better way to stop drink driving. Have followed quite a few cars after midnight that due to erratic driving would make me (and probably the police) very suspicious.

The other 9/10 deaths are down to idiot overtakes on the A9 and rogue wildlife - we should simply close the A9 and kill all the deer, job done :thumb:

It won't stop the hard-core drink drivers....just put more decent people
off the road who don't know what amount is acceptable.

You have a beer at lunchtime then get bagged at 2pm for being just over the silly new limit but your are perfectly able to drive a car.

Stupid SNP - silly windfarms that generate just about naff all, 5p for plastic bags in the supermarket(god knows where the money goes), A9 swarming with gatso's and daft HGV speed limits, air-rifles licensed, stamp duty changes.

Scotland will be like Switzerland soon, run by over zealous pleasure crushing morons, who I suspect, get aroused by the political power and control they have over people.

The scots will soon boot them out.

wizard993 said:

It won't stop the hard-core drink drivers....just put more decent people
off the road who don't know what amount is acceptable.

You have a beer at lunchtime then get bagged at 2pm for being just over the silly new limit but your are perfectly able to drive a car.

Stupid SNP - silly windfarms that generate just about naff all, 5p for plastic bags in the supermarket(god knows where the money goes), A9 swarming with gatso's and daft HGV speed limits, air-rifles licensed, stamp duty changes.

Scotland will be like Switzerland soon, run by over zealous pleasure crushing morons, who I suspect, get aroused by the political power and control they have over people.

The scots will soon boot them out.

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An insight into wizards day

10 am rock up at work
10-12 catch up on 911
12-1 lunch down the pub
1-2 do a little work
2 pm foxtrot oscar home :grin: