Drink-Drive Limit Cut In Scotland But Remains In England

A new drink-drive law in Scotland has made it illegal for drivers to have over 50 mg of alcohol in every 100 ml of blood. This means that having a drink in England could put a driver in problems once they cross the border to get into Scotland. According to the Guardian, Holyrood’s justice secretary, Michael Matheson, said Scotland was leading the way in the UK as the reduced limit came into force.

In England and the rest of the United Kingdom, the limit remains at 80 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood. Because of the new measures in Scotland, campaigners are calling on Westminster to take a tougher approach against drink-driving.

According to Sky News Online, there are proposals in Northern Ireland to follow suit. But the question of cross-border confusion still remains an issue. However, Scotland’s Justice Secretary Michael Matheson said drivers are responsible for ensuring that they do not break the law.

“People have a responsibility as drivers to make themselves aware of the regulations and rules of the country in which they’re driving. “We have different laws in Scotland over a range of different matters so it’s important that anyone visiting Scotland is made aware of that.”

The lower limit for alcohol intake puts Scotland right in line with a lot of countries in the European Union. But while some drivers might find the new Scottish law against drink-driving difficult to obey, at least one road safety group in the UK is maintaing that the limit of 80 mg or even 50 mg of alcohol in every 100 ml of blood, should be reduced to 20 mg.

Brake’s deputy chief executive, Julie Townsend, said they support further reduction because of the suffering that drink-driving has caused.

“As a charity that supports bereaved and injured road crash victims, we witness the suffering that drink and drug-driving inflict, and appeal to everyone to help put a stop to it. Drink and drug-driving deaths and injuries are cruel and needless, ending and ruining lives and leaving traumatised families to pick up the pieces. If you’re driving home from celebrations this festive season, it’s vital you take your responsibility for people’s safety seriously, and stay completely off booze and drugs. It’s a fact that even small amounts of alcohol or drugs increase your risk of crashing. We welcome the new lower limit in Scotland as a positive stepping stone towards zero-tolerance.”

Drink-drive issues are prevalent in many countries including the U.S. An Inquisitr report in July said that a Texas Appeals Court jusge who was caught speeding was arrested for drunk-driving.

But as Scotland’s new drink-drive law goes into force, it is apparently in-line with what citizens want, as a new study has shown that 79 per cent of Scottish motorists support the reduction.

[Image via Daily Records]