Scotland&apos’s drink drive limit has been lowered and comes into effect today (Friday 5th December).
The new limit will bring Scotland in line with the rest of Europe, lowering the limit from 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood to 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. The new lower limit means that some drivers could be over the legal limit after only one drink and more drivers may still be over the limit driving the next day.
Police Scotland estimate that they stop over 80,000 vehicles each month, with around 20,000 offences detected every month. The Police say being caught over the limit will result in a 20 year criminal record.
Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Kenny MacAskill, said: “The new drink drive limit will come into force on December 5, making our roads safer and saving lives. We are doing everything we can to make sure everyone is informed about the new lower level.
“A persistent minority of people are still getting behind the wheel after drinking – the best approach is to have nothing at all, alcohol at any level impairs driving.
“This new law will bring Scotland into line with most of Europe and hopefully reduce drink drive arrests and prosecutions, as we have already seen in the Republic of Ireland, where drivers adjusted their behaviour to take account of the lower limit.”
The Police have a commitment to breathalyse any driver who:
– has been stopped for any moving traffic offence (e.g. using a mobile phone, a faulty brake light, not wearing a seatbelt)
– they suspect has been drinking or taking drugs
– has been involved in an accident
– Even if you’re under the limit, you can still be charged with impairment through drink or drugs (legal or illegal).
– The vehicle forfeiture scheme targets repeat offenders, and also first-time offenders who are three times the limit or more or who refuse to provide a sample for analysis. This scheme means you could lose your car, for good.
The Police say you can easily still be over the limit the morning after an evening’s drinking:
– It can take roughly 10 hours to be alcohol-free after drinking one bottle of wine.
– It can take roughly 13 hours to be alcohol-free after drinking four pints of strong lager or beer.