79% back drink-drive limit cut

26 January 2010
A research has found that 79% wanted to see the current drink-drive limit reduced

Around 79% of people want the drink-drive limit to be brought down, a study commissioned by the Scottish Government has found.

Four out of five people would like to see the limit reduced to 50 mg per 100 ml of blood from the current 80 mg.

Police arrested nearly 500 people during their Christmas crackdown last year, down from 654 in 2008.

Justice secretary Kenny MacAskill has renewed SNP calls for the UK Government to transfer power in this area to Scotland so that he can take some action.

He said: "We've already seen hundreds of drivers ignore the risks and put lives in danger in the last few weeks.

"That is absolutely deplorable in this day and age, and these people are finding out the hard way that their actions will be met with the full force of the law."

Mr MacAskill appealed to the UK Government to "wake up and listen."

Chief Superintendent Brian Anderson, Head for Drink-Driving issues for the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, said research indicates that 65 lives could be saved annually by reducing the limit to 50 mg.

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