Motorists in Scotland could soon be faced with a new drink driving limit after the Scottish Government announced plans to lower the limit from 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood to 50mg. These plans would bring Scotland in line with other European countries including Germany, France and Spain. The limit in England and Wales would remain at 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood.
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskil said, “The Scottish government has long called for a reduction in the drink-driving limit to 50mg.
“We strongly believe that reducing the drink-driving limit will save lives, and evidence from across Europe shows that alcohol-related road deaths drop dramatically where the limit has been reduced.”
The new plans have been welcomed by road safety campaigners such as BRAKE. Sarah Fatica, general manager at Brake, said: “We’re pleased that the Scottish Government is taking heed of the warning that road safety charities and the EU are sending out about the current drink-drive limit.
“It’s certainly a step in the right direction and one that we commend, and we would like to see the British Government also lowering the drink-drive limit. However, a 50mg limit does still leave some level of confusion for the general public about what is safe.”
Take a look at our Drink Driving page for the current England and Wales drink driving law.
MJP Motoring Solicitors
May, 28, 2012