Dave Thompson MSP

Dave Thompson, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch was praised in the Parliament by the Cabinet Secretary, Kenny MacAskill for helping bring about the reduction in the drink driving limit, which was agreed yesterday (18/11/12) to be reduced from 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood to 50mg, which will come into effect in Scotland on December 5.

The Cabinet Secretary paid tribute to Mr Thompson as a “tireless campaigner for a lower drink-drive limit”, referring to Dave first raising the matter in the Parliament in 2007 and having campaigned for change ever since; including putting pressure on the UK Government to devolve the issue so the Parliament in Scotland could legislate on the matter, as it has done now.

Commenting, Mr Thompson said, “I would like to thank the Cabinet Secretary for his gracious comments and for bringing about a change in the law”.

“This demonstrates once again what we can do as a Government when we have the power to make the changes that Scotland needs”.

Notes:

S4M-11567 Kenny MacAskill: Lowering the Drink Drive Limit: That the Parliament supports the reduction of the drink drive limit, which will help to save lives and make Scotland’s roads safer, bringing Scotland into line with most other European countries, and encourages drivers not to consume any alcohol at all before driving.

The Cabinet Secretary’s Comments about Dave:

“Members will be aware that the Scottish Government has long argued that a lower drink-drive limit will save lives and help to make Scotland’s roads safer. Some members in the chamber have also long campaigned on that important issue. In particular, I pay tribute to Dave Thompson. He has been a tireless campaigner for a lower drink-drive limit and first raised the matter in Parliament way back in October 2007”.

Official Report:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28862.aspx?r=9633#.VGxvKqKGG_s

Drink Driving Reduction Praised in Parliament by MSP (Original)

Dave Thompson, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch today (18/11/12) delivered a speech in the Parliament detailing his praise for the new drink driving limit that has been reduced from 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood to 50mg, which will come into effect in Scotland on December 5.

Commenting on this Mr Thompson said,

“I have been campaigning since I entered the Parliament in 2007 to have the drink driving limit reduced from 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood to 50mg; therefore it is great news to know that on December 5 this year, prior to the drink fuelled festive period, the new law will come into effect”.

Dave elaborating,

“I wrote to the Cabinet Secretary for Justice, took part in debates, hosted a number of events in the Parliament and pressed the UK Government on the matter, who eventually agreed to devolve the issue via The Scotland Act 2012”.

“Therefore, it was a great privilege to speak in the Parliament knowing that in some small way I had advanced the case for the reduction in the drink driving limit and in turn made our roads safer, thereby reducing injuries and fatalities in the process”.

He concluded,

“It is significant that the Scottish Government, once it had power; acted so quickly, unlike Westminster where the limit is still 80mg, and unlike every European country bar Malta”.

“My short position on the issue is this; if you are driving, then do not drink, and if you are drinking, then do not drive”.

Notes:

S4M-11567 Kenny MacAskill: Lowering the Drink Drive Limit: That the Parliament supports the reduction of the drink drive limit, which will help to save lives and make Scotland’s roads safer, bringing Scotland into line with most other European countries, and encourages drivers not to consume any alcohol at all before driving.

Members will be aware that the Scottish Government has long argued that a lower drink-drive limit will save lives and help to make Scotland’s roads safer. Some members in the chamber have also long campaigned on that important issue. In particular, I pay tribute to Dave Thompson. He has been a tireless campaigner for a lower drink-drive limit and first raised the matter in Parliament way back in October 2007.

Dave’s speech will be available on the Scottish Parliament website when it becomes available:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/msps/currentmsps/Dave-Thompson-MSP.aspx

Official Report from the Debate:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28862.aspx?r=9633#.VGxvKqKGG_s