Motorists warned as Scotland prepares to lower drink-drive limit
Posted by James Cox on Tuesday, 29 May 2012, 14:34 in UK Motoring
Drivers travelling across the border from England into Scotland have been warned not to get caught out by a new drink-driving law which could come into force this year. Ministers in Scotland have given the green light to plans to reduce the amount of alcohol people are allowed to consume and still legally get behind the wheel. At the moment, drivers across Britain can have a maximum of 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood and still be considered safe to drive. That is set to fall to 50mg in Scotland, bringing the country's drink-drive laws into line with European countries including France and Germany, a report by the Daily Mail said. The change could mean some drivers deemed sober enough to drive in England or Wales, could find themselves being arrested in Scotland. Scottish justice secretary Kenny MacAskill said he believed the change would save lives on the country's roads. He said: "We strongly believe that reducing the limit will save lives. Evidence from across Europe shows that alcohol-related road deaths drop dramatically where the limit has been reduced. "Having secured the powers through the Scotland Bill, the Scottish Government will bring forward proposals later this year, with a view to the change taking effect as soon as possible."
