Forums Forums National News New drink drive limit for Scotland

New drink drive limit in Scotland approved by Scottish MP's.

A high-profile campaign is now underway to warn drivers about the changes which come into force from December 5th.

A lower drink drive limit for Scotland is to come into force next month after the Scottish Parliament voted unanimously in favour of the changes.

From December 5, the blood alcohol limit will be reduced from 80mg in every 100ml of blood to 50mg in every 100ml of blood.

Evidence shows that alcohol at the higher level can significantly impair driving and vastly increase the chance of being involved in an accident.

These changes mean Scotland will now be in line with much of Europe, with a consultation finding almost three-quarters of respondents in favour of the limit being reduced.

A campaign has been launched to inform all adults of driving age of the changes.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said the vote received all-party support, as well as backing from experts and road safety campaigners.

He said: "All the evidence from across Europe where the lower limit is in force suggests we will see convictions go down, reductions in drink driving and blood alcohol counts.

“We have seen Scotland lead the way across the UK in driving home the message, it is never safe to drink and drive.”

An average of 20 people die on Scotland’s roads every year in accidents involving drivers over the legal limit.

Chief Superintendent Iain Murray, Head of roads policing for Police Scotland, said "In the lead up to December 5 police patrols will positively engage with as many road users as possible to provide real-time education to those who may be putting themselves and others at risk, influence behaviour in the future and prevent collisions on Scotland's roads."

Comments following this article indicate that if you break the new law in Scotland then the ban and points remain valid through the rest of the UK (plus EU and most other places.)

should be zero everywhere

I don't think zero is medically possible, even for a tea totaller. I seem to remember seeing something about this a few years ago.

If I remember correctly, the body naturally produces alcohol as a bi-product of the digestive system, i.e. what we have eaten is fermenting away as it passes through. The most detectable bi-products are gasses.

The lower natural limit for blood/alcohol might have been 10 to 15, but I can't remember what units.

I'm sure someone will check this out now, so please share the updated information.

thats interesting, i do feel however that it should be very low, maybe someone can say how much a max figure would be in the body and make it that, im really against drink driving,

Colquhoun’s experiments showed that quite small levels of intoxication were sufficient to cause impairment of driving performance.

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/opinion/obituaries/article2084680.ece

Very proud to say, he was my 2nd. cousin.