Badenoch MSP calls for more drink driving powers
Long-time drink drive campaigner Dave Thompson MSP has written to UK Secretary of State for Justice Chris Grayling calling for Scotland to be given fully devolved powers for drink driving.
The SNP MSP Skye, Lochaber, and Badenoch has also written to several Scottish organisations, including the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, British Medical Association and Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland QC to generate support for his view.
Mr Thompson believes that in order to fully tackle the problem of drink driving, the Scottish Parliament will require powers to introduce variable penalties and powers for police to randomly breathalyse drivers.
He said: "I have long campaigned for lower drink driving limits, and I’m glad that the Scottish Government is consulting on lowering the limit from 80mg.
"However, I believe this is only one step in tackling the issue of drink driving. To really ensure a significant change the UK Government needs to devolve the full range of powers associated with drink driving to the Scottish Government."
The Scotland Act 2012 gives the Scottish Government the ability to lower the limit on the level of alcohol permitted, but all other powers, including enforcement, setting penalties and other aspects of drink driving, remain with Westminster.
Mr Thompson has also written to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, Transport Scotland, Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems, and the Scottish Police Federation.
He wants them to add their support for the full devolution of powers.
Mr Thompson said these further powers would enable Scotland to create a graduated penalty system, allow for stricter enforcement and set specific limits for youth.
Among European states, only Malta has an alcohol limit as high as the UK. A number of states, including Germany and Italy, have also introduced graduated penalties.
Within the UK, Northern Ireland is also consulting on lowering its limit, and unlike Scotland, has been granted wider powers to adjust enforcement and penalties.
Mr Thompson said: "This is an issue that affects our families and our communities and we should be able to decide how we handle it.
"An independent Scotland would not have to wait for a UK Government – which is out of touch with the needs of Scottish communities – to grant us the powers we need to make effective changes."
