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The Scottish Government have today announced plans to almost half the drink-drive limit with a new scheme being implemented “as soon as possible”.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said that plans to bring the limit down, from 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood to 50mg, are set to be brought forward.

The announcement comes less than a week after Scotland became the first part of the UK to implement a minimum price for a unit of alcohol under a new binge-drinking bill.

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.”

Scottish road safety campaigners have welcomed the plans and said it was a step in the right direction.
(Source: Alcohol Reports, News, 05/28/12) independent.co.uk, 05/27/12

our Online-Comment: It is really interesting what funny reasons are given against this new limit. We have heard them as well when in Switzerland, after a long fight, parliament did this step. It is so simple, even after five years and more the amount of alcohol related accidents and deaths dropped by more than 20%. How anybody can be against this new rule?
Important is of course that many controls by the police are done and especially controls without suspicion. And that punishments with lost driver licences are strong enough.

The latest IAS Alcohol Alert is available from the Institute of Alcohol Studies (IAS). The issue’s headline article attacks the Government’s alcohol policy, emphasising dissatisfaction over the Responsibility Deal, below cost ban and decision to stick with the current drink-drive limit. The Alert also reviews key alcohol policy news and developements over recent months including a slight fall in alcohol-related deaths, licensing act changes, and predicted rises in alcohol-related admissions. Full article index here.

The legal drink-drive limit will remain at 80mg per 100ml of blood, the transport secretary Philip Hammond has announced. A Government press release said the focus would instead be on „improving enforcement and education to tackle the drink and drug drivers who put lives at risk.“
However the decision drew criticism after an independent report last year called for the legal limit to be reduced. In the report Sir Peter North proposed a reduced 50mg limit, arguing it would save lives and bring the level in line with most of Europe. … (Source: Alcohol Policies UK, 03/21/11) Comment: If there are not 15% to 20% less alcohol related accidents and deaths during the next year the government must revise its attitude immediately. Or it should resign because it had caused many deaths and injured people by listening to the alcohol industry instead of following the advice of public health specialists.

Responding to the Transport Committee’s report (England) on drink-drive casualties launched today (Thursday 2 December 2010), the BMA’s Director of Professional Activities, Dr Vivienne Nathanson said:
„While the BMA is pleased that the Committee supports action to reduce drink-drive casualties, we are disappointed that it has not called for a reduction in the drink-drive limit. We disagree with the Committee that a reduction in the limit would send out mixed messages. (Source: Medical News Today, 12/02/10) our Online-Comment: The message of this Committee is very clear: It is dominated by the alcohol industry and ignores all results from the many countries which have reduced their drink-drive-limit. To act like this is a crime as it costs daily more lives on the roads.

Lowering the drink drive limit will save lives, Northern Ireland doctors said last Friday, 25 June. The BMA’s statement comes amid reports that the Republic of Ireland will move to cut the drink drive limit. Fermanagh GP and member of the BMA’s GP committee Dr John Porteous said, „It has been estimated that there would be 8 fewer deaths on our roads in Northern Ireland by lowering blood alcohol levels to 50mg from the current level of 80mg. (Source: Medical News Today, 6/27/10)