MacAskill calls for lower drink driving limit
13 Mar 08
Justice Secretary appeals to UK Transport Secretary for change to the law
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has written to the UK Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly asking her to reduce the drink driving limit and introduce random breath testing.
Mr MacAskill wants the limit reduced from 80mg to 50mg per 100ml of blood. New research has shown that many people think it is safe to drive after drinking up to two drinks, regardless of the size or strength of those drinks.
Decisions on the drink driving limits and testing regime are currently reserved to the UK Parliament. The current limit was set in 1967.
Mr MacAskill said that drink driving remained "a constant thorn in the side of efforts to make our roads and communities safer. The fact that one in nine road deaths in Scotland were alcohol-related shows we need to do more".
"Room for confusion"
He added that the current limit simply left too much room for confusion and sent out the wrong message. "People think they can have a couple of pints, but two large glasses of wine or pints of strong lager could be more than enough to take you over the limit."
The lower limit would bring the UK into line with the rest of Europe. The British Medical Association estimates that around 65 lives could be saved in the UK annually by lowering the limit from 80mg to 50mg.
The Department of Transport in London said its priority was to ensure the current law was enforced.