News
Call to lower Scots limit on drink-driving
11/01/2011
Police and safety campaigners have backed calls for the drink-drive limit to be lowered in Scotland.
Scotland Office minister David Mundell met police who had led the campaign targeting drink drivers over Christmas and New Year.
The minister visited Strathclyde Police's road traffic department in Motherwell, where he discussed the annual crackdown and the Scotland Bill, which is going through Westminster.
If passed, the Bill will transfer powers, including over drink-drivng limits and speed limits, to the Scottish Parliament. This will leave MSPs to decide to lower the level of alcohol permitted for driving.
During the festive campaign, officers caught 426 offenders over the drink-drive limit, with 62 in the Strathclyde Police area.
Senior officers said a lower limit would save lives and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents in Scotland said it wanted the limit lowered across the UK, but would be happy if Scotland took the first step.
The current drink-drive limit is 80 miligrammes of alcohol per 100ml of blood or 35 microgrammes per 100ml of breath. In most other European countries, the limit is less, usually 50mg per 100ml of blood.
Chief Constable Kevin Smith, chairman of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, Policing Business Area, said: "We have a clear position of don't drink and drive and would welcome a reduction to the limit.
"Reducing the alcohol limit would help save lives and prevent serious injury on Scotland's roads."
Kathleen Braidwood, RoSPA road safety officer, said: "One in seven road deaths in Scotland involves someone over the current drink-drive limit.
"We believe the best option is for a lower limit to be applied across the UK, but strongly support the transfer of powers to Scotland so it can lower its drink-drive limit.
"Scotland has previously led the way in the annual Christmas drink-drive campaign by introducing vehicle forfeiture for repeat drink and drug-drive offenders.
"Lowering the limit would enable Scotland to lead the way again."
Source - Evening Times 11/1/11
Scotland Office minister David Mundell met police who had led the campaign targeting drink drivers over Christmas and New Year.
The minister visited Strathclyde Police's road traffic department in Motherwell, where he discussed the annual crackdown and the Scotland Bill, which is going through Westminster.
If passed, the Bill will transfer powers, including over drink-drivng limits and speed limits, to the Scottish Parliament. This will leave MSPs to decide to lower the level of alcohol permitted for driving.
During the festive campaign, officers caught 426 offenders over the drink-drive limit, with 62 in the Strathclyde Police area.
Senior officers said a lower limit would save lives and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents in Scotland said it wanted the limit lowered across the UK, but would be happy if Scotland took the first step.
The current drink-drive limit is 80 miligrammes of alcohol per 100ml of blood or 35 microgrammes per 100ml of breath. In most other European countries, the limit is less, usually 50mg per 100ml of blood.
Chief Constable Kevin Smith, chairman of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, Policing Business Area, said: "We have a clear position of don't drink and drive and would welcome a reduction to the limit.
"Reducing the alcohol limit would help save lives and prevent serious injury on Scotland's roads."
Kathleen Braidwood, RoSPA road safety officer, said: "One in seven road deaths in Scotland involves someone over the current drink-drive limit.
"We believe the best option is for a lower limit to be applied across the UK, but strongly support the transfer of powers to Scotland so it can lower its drink-drive limit.
"Scotland has previously led the way in the annual Christmas drink-drive campaign by introducing vehicle forfeiture for repeat drink and drug-drive offenders.
"Lowering the limit would enable Scotland to lead the way again."
Source - Evening Times 11/1/11