Public consultation launched into proposals to lower drink drive limit

A public consultation on Scottish Government plans to lower the drink-drive limit is due to be launched.

Proposals to lower the limit from 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood to 50mg were announced by the Justice Secretary earlier this year.

Powers to set drink-driving limits are among those transferred from Westminster to Holyrood under the Scotland Act (2010-12).

Lowering the limit to 50mg would bring Scotland in line with other European countries such as Germany, France and Spain.

The move was cautiously welcomed by road safety campaigners, as a zero-tolerance approach is their ultimate aim.

Sarah Fatica, general manager at road safety charity Brake, said: "Whilst 50mg is a step in the right direction, what we really need to see is a strong message from our governments in Scotland and Westminster to say that not a drop (of alcohol) is acceptable if you are behind the wheel.

"Far too many lives are lost on UK roads annually because of drink drivers.

"If we could have a zero-tolerance approach to drink driving, lives would obviously be saved."

Mr MacAskill will be joined outside Holyrood by Deputy Chief Constable Tom Ewing, secretary of road policing for the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, for the consultation launch on Thursday.

Commenting at the time that he announced the proposals, Mr MacAskill 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.

"Having secured the powers to take this forward through the Scotland Bill, the Scottish Government, as a priority, will bring forward proposals later this year, with a view to the change taking effect as soon as possible."

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