New drink drive limits approved for Scottish roads
A lower drink drive limit for Scotland will come into force on December 5 after the Scottish Parliament unanimously voted in favour of the new law today (Tuesday).
This reduces the blood alcohol limit from 80mg in every 100ml of blood to 50mg in every 100ml of blood.
The Scottish Government said evidence shows that alcohol at this level can significantly impair driving and vastly increase the chances of being involved in an accident.
An average of 20 people die on Scotland’s roads every year in accidents involving drivers over the legal limit.
A high profile public information campaign was launched yesterday aimed at informing all adults of driving age of the change.
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: “The Scottish Parliament has voted in favour of making our roads safer and saving lives.
“The vote received all-party support, backing from experts and road safety campaigners and the vast majority of the public are behind it.
“All the evidence from across Europe where the lower limit is in force suggests we will see convictions go down, reductions in drink driving and blood alcohol counts.
“Alcohol at any level will impair your ability to drive - even at the new limit you are three times more likely to die in a crash than with no alcohol in your system.
“Today we have seen Scotland lead the way across the UK in driving home the message, it is never safe to drink and drive.”
Dave Thompson, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch welcomed the lower limit.
He said: “I have been campaigning since I entered the Parliament in 2007 to have the drink driving limit reduced from 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood to 50mg; therefore it is great news to know that on December 5 this year, prior to the drink fuelled festive period, the new law will come into effect."
Mr Thompson added: “It is significant that the Scottish Government, once it had power; acted so quickly, unlike Westminster where the limit is still 80mg, and unlike every European country bar Malta”.
“My short position on the issue is this; if you are driving, then do not drink, and if you are drinking, then do not drive."
