Thompson praises planned drink driving limit
The move to reduce the drink driving limit has been praised by local MSP Dave Thompson.
The SNP member for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch is fully behind the Scottish Justice Committee’s recommendation that the Parliament approve an order which will reduce the limit from December 5.
He has campaigned since 2007 to slash the drink driving limit from 80mg in every 100ml of blood to 50mg in every 100ml of blood.
Commenting on the news that The Scottish Government will indeed be lowering the drink driving limit to the suggested levels, Mr Thompson said: “I wrote to the Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Kenny MacAskill in 2007 asking for him to take action on this matter but due to this area not being devolved at that time he was unable to take the idea forward.
“Following this I pressed the matter with the UK Government, who eventually agreed to devolve the issue.
“It is therefore encouraging that now the Scottish Government has the power and action is being taken in pursuance of this sensible policy.”
Mr Thompson went on: “To have the idea come to fruition is excellent news and I would like to praise the Justice Committee on backing the proposal.
“Far too often accidents are related to drink driving, especially around the festive period, so the news that the new measures will come into effect prior to Christmas is an added bonus, as ultimately there will be fewer accidents and lives lost.
“Every life is precious, and if my campaigning results in just one life being saved, then it will have been worth it.”
