Scotland paves way for lower drink drive limits

The Scottish government has today launched a public consultation on its plans to lower the drink drive limit in line with European neighbours.

The Scottish Justice Minister announced plans earlier this year to reduce the limit from 80 mg. of alcohol per 100 ml. of blood to 50 mg. The reduction would bring Scotland in line with continental European countries like France, Germany and Spain.

The consultation will allow interested parties including police organisations and road safety campaigners to submit evidence to the Scottish government.

The Association of Scottish Police Superintendents (ASPS) believes that a reduction would be a positive move. Chief Superintendent David O’Connor, president of the ASPS, said: “I believe drink driving is still seen as socially acceptable in some quarters,”  and added: “we have got to get the message out to everyone: the risk of losing their licence, losing their livelihood, losing their lives and causing other people to lose their lives is too great.”

Campaigners believe that the current 80mg. limit can promote confusion, with some drinkers believing that they can drink and still drive legally.

If the level is lowered to 50mg. in Scotland, limits in England would still remain at 80mg. This would mirror the situation in Ireland, where the Republic of Ireland has a 50mg. limit, while across the border in Northern Ireland the UK limit of 80mg. prevails.