Dave Thompson MSP

Dave Thompson, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch has today welcomed the news that a huge majority of respondents to the Scottish Governments consultation have backed the proposed reduction to the drink driving limit, and called for Westminster to recognise the desire of the Scottish public to see drink driving tackled, and devolve powers to allow the Scottish Government to adjust the penalties and introduced random breathalyser tests.

Almost 74% of those who responded to the survey have backed the Scottish Governments plans to reduce the drink driving limit in Scotland.

Commenting on this, Dave said “I welcome the results of the Scottish Government’s consultation, which show overwhelming support for reducing the drink drive limit in Scotland.

“I believe it is important that we lower the limit and send a strong message that drinking and driving, which puts the lives of many innocent people in danger, will not be tolerated.

“The Scottish Government’s consultation and the strong positive response from the public are important first steps, but it is important that Westminster recognise that without devolving more comprehensive powers to set the penalties for drink driving and the powers the Police have to enforce these laws, we cannot fully address this issue."

In addition to a lower limit, Dave has been campaigning to secure the devolution of powers to allow the police to randomly breathalyse drivers, and to impose different levels of penalty which recognise the varying severity of the offence.

While the vast majority of drivers do not drink and drive, there are a small number who are not deterred and continue to flout the law. Increasing the powers of the police to enforce drink driving laws would mean that dangerous drivers who disregard the safety of others can be caught sooner.

Adding to this, Dave said: “I hope that following such a positive reception and the clear appetite to deal with the issue that the consultation shows, Westminster will rethink their refusal to devolve additional powers and allow the Scottish Government to introduce a more effective penalty and enforcement regime along with the lower limit.”