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Scotland 'to toughen drink-drive limits'

30/11/2010

Scotland's drink-drive limit could be cut under new powers due to be devolved from Westminster. The proposed legislation would be included in the Scotland Bill, which is set to give the Scottish Parliament a range of new powers, including being able to raise taxes. It is widely expected that MSPs will use the bill - which goes before the UK Parliament today - to lower the legal limit from 80 milligrams (mg) of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood to 50mg - equivalent to just under a pint of normal-strength beer for an average-sized man. This would bring it in line with most other EU countries. Dave Thompson, SNP MSP for the Highlands and Islands - a long-time backer of a reduction in the drink-drive limit - said the step is "long overdue". "There is massive support for this in Scotland," he told The Press and Journal. "Parliament voted unanimously in favour of reducing the drink-driving limit about a year ago." And he expressed disappointment it had not happened sooner. "I am just sad we have not managed to get it reduced across the whole of the UK and that Westminster did not act on it long before now because it would have saved many lives," Thompson added. At the start of this year a poll suggested that four in five Scots would welcome a lower alcohol limit for drivers. However, the UK Government has not yet acted on the recommendations of a review of the drink- and drug-driving law by Sir Peter North. Released in June, the review recommended a reduction to 50mg, suggesting that such a move would result in hundreds of lives being saved each year. Commenting on the review, Sir Peter said that "the public is ready for a lower limit", adding: "It is time to give them what they want."

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