Dave Thompson MSP

The launch of a consultation on lowering the drink driving limit in Scotland has been hailed as a major step forward by Dave Thompson MSP who has campaigned extensively on the issue.

The Scottish Government has announced that it will consider lowering the drink driving limit from 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood to 50mg, in line with twenty four other European countries. Moves to reduce this limit have been backed by the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents.

Dave Thompson has pressed for the power to take this action to be devolved for several years and the recent passage of the Scotland Act now gives the Scottish Government the opportunity to act on this issue.

Commenting, SNP MSP Dave Thompson said: “There can be no doubt that lowering the drink drive limit will save lives, as a more sensible limit will deter people from drinking before driving.

“For years successive UK Governments have dragged their feet and failed to take action as fatalities take place on our roads as a direct result of current drink driving laws.

“Now I am delighted to say that the Scottish Government has the chance to right this wrong, and make our roads significantly safer.

“Of course we could do even more if the UK Government had not refused to devolve the more extensive powers to tackle drink driving which the Scottish Government sought, but progress on the one new power which has been devolved is welcome.

“If a limit of 50mg is the right level for twenty four other European countries then it is hard to see how anyone can say it is not also right for us.

“The Scottish Government has made commendable progress on this issue and the launch of this consultation is a major step forward for everyone who wants to see more sensible drink driving legislation.”