Scotland to reduce drink driving limit

Drivers in Scotland will have to adhere to tougher rules on drink driving this festive season with the country’s blood alcohol limits set to be slashed.

One in 10 road deaths in Scotland involve drink drivers

New measures will come into force from 5 December when the blood alcohol limit will decrease from 80mg per 100ml to 50mg.

The changes will bring Scotland into line with northern Ireland and most of Europe, while the limit in England and Wales remains at 80mg.

It means that drivers could be over the limit and breaking the law if they have drunk a small glass of wine of single pint of beer.

Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland on Friday, the Scottish justice secretary, Kenny MacAskill, said the plans had “broad support” with almost three quarters said to back the change according to a previous government consultation.

MacAskill said that support had come not just from the polic and law enforcement, but from the general public and those involved in road safety.

Around one in ten deaths on Scotland’s roads involve drivers who are over the legal limit.