Scotland to reduce drink-drive limit

Scotland plans to lower its drink-driving limit in time for Christmas, advising motorists not to get behind the wheel if they have consumed any alcohol at all.

The legal limit being slashed from 80mg of alcohol to 50mg in every 100ml of blood means that even a small glass of wine or single pint of beer could see drivers penalised. The new law brings Scotland into line with Northern Ireland and most of Europe.

From 5th December, police will be able to stop and breathalyse drivers at the reduced limit as part of their annual festive crackdown.

While the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has welcomed the move and called for the rest of the UK to follow suit, the UK Department of Transport said there were currently no plans to alter the drink drive limit south of the border.

Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland, Scottish justice secretary, Kenny MacAskill, said the plans to reduce the limit had “broad support”.

A previous government consultation claimed that nearly three quarters of the public backed the change. MacAskill added: “The support comes not just from the police and law enforcement. It comes from those involved in road safety.”