​Road safety campaigners welcome reduction in drink drive limit

A road safety charity has praised plans by the Scottish Government to reduce the drink drive limit for Christmas.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill is putting plans to the Scottish Parliament, to introduce a new limit by 5 December.

The proposal would see the blood alcohol limit cut from 80mg to 50mg in every 100ml of blood – meaning Scots would have a lower level than England.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) welcomed the move, and called for the rest of the UK to follow suit.

We would like to see the rest of the UK follow Scotland's example - Sandy Allen

Sandy Allan, RoSPA's road safety manager in Scotland, said he believed the move would save lives and prevent injuries on Scotland's roads.

"There is a considerable body of research which shows that reducing drink drive limits is effective in reducing drink-drive deaths and injuries.

“We would like to see the rest of the UK follow Scotland's example," he said.

The Scottish government announced its intention to reduce the limit following a consultation which found almost three quarters of those who responded backed the move.

MacAskill said: “This new limit will bring Scotland into line with most of Europe and send a clear message to drivers who continue to ignore the warnings that there is never an excuse to drink and drive.

"Getting behind the wheel after drinking can have fatal consequences. The advice is simple - if you have had any alcoholic drink whatsoever, don't drive.”