Tories Criticise Drink Drive Plans

It's warned tougher drink-driving laws will criminalise ordinary Scots.

That's according to the Scottish Conservatives, who say there's no evidence to support the move.

Plans have been revealed by Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill which would mean a new limit being introduced early in December.

Under the plans, Scotland's limit would be cut from 80mg to 50mg of alcohol in every 100ml of blood.

The change would bring Scotland's legal alcohol limits in line with much of Europe.

Scottish Conservative transport spokesman Alex Johnstone MSP said:
“The view of many people is we should focus resources on people who are three, four or even five times the legal limit.
 
“But with this move, the risk is police will stop chasing maniacs on a Saturday night who are inebriated behind the wheel, and instead target young mothers in supermarket carparks on Sunday mornings.
 
“It would be a huge mistake for police to switch their focus to those who are between the new limit and the existing limit.
 
“But of course, they will be the easy ones to target, because they won’t object, they’ll pay their fines, and make a lot of money for the state in the process.
 
“This reduction risks creating criminals of people who are perfectly law-abiding, hardworking individuals, while reducing the spotlight on those who are truly dangerous drivers.”

The Justice Secretary said he is "determined we do everything we can to make our roads safer and save lives."

Mr MacAskill said: "Drink driving shatters families and communities and we must take action to reduce the risk on our roads.

“The latest estimates show that approximately one in ten deaths on Scottish roads involve drivers who are over the legal limit and research shows that even just one alcoholic drink before driving can make you three times as likely to be involved in a fatal car crash. As a result, 20 families every year have to cope with the loss of a loved one and around 760 people are treated for injuries caused by someone who thought it was acceptable to drink alcohol and get behind the wheel and drive. We cannot let this continue.

“That’s why I have today introduced legislation to lower the drink drive limit in Scotland so that, subject to parliamentary approval, new laws will be in place in time for the beginning of the festive period.

“This new limit will bring Scotland into line with most of Europe and send a clear message to drivers who continue to ignore the warnings that there is never an excuse to drink and drive.

“Getting behind the wheel after drinking can have fatal consequences, the advice is simple; if you have had any alcoholic drink whatsoever, don’t drive. No one should be drinking and driving and the new lower limit only reinforces what should already be the case with drivers taking full responsibility and not putting lives at risk.

“Lowering the drink drive limit will help make Scotland’s roads safer, it is the right thing to do, and most importantly, it will save lives meaning that fewer families have to go through the heartache of a loved one lost”.