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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Scotland to reduce drink-drive limit | Scotland to reduce drink-drive limit |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The Scottish government has announced plans to reduce the country's drink-drive limit in time for Christmas. | The Scottish government has announced plans to reduce the country's drink-drive limit in time for Christmas. |
| Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has taken steps which, if approved by the Scottish Parliament, would mean a new limit being introduced on 5 December. | Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has taken steps which, if approved by the Scottish Parliament, would mean a new limit being introduced on 5 December. |
| Under the plans, Scotland's blood alcohol limit would be cut from 80mg to 50mg in every 100ml of blood. | Under the plans, Scotland's blood alcohol limit would be cut from 80mg to 50mg in every 100ml of blood. |
| It would mean the legal limit in Scotland would be lower than in England - where the limit is 80mg in blood. | It would mean the legal limit in Scotland would be lower than in England - where the limit is 80mg in blood. |
| The draft legislation to make the change has been laid before parliament, and will bring Scotland's legal alcohol limits in line with much of Europe. | The draft legislation to make the change has been laid before parliament, and will bring Scotland's legal alcohol limits in line with much of Europe. |
| A public awareness campaign will warn drivers not to drink at all. | A public awareness campaign will warn drivers not to drink at all. |
| Save lives | Save lives |
| Mr MacAskill said drinking and driving shattered families and communities, and that it was time to take action to reduce the risk on the country's roads. | |
| He told BBC Scotland the plans to change the drink-drive limit had "broad support". | |
| The justice secretary said: "The support comes not just from the police and law enforcement. It comes from those involved in road safety." | |
| Asked why the government didn't simply apply a zero tolerance approach, Mr MacAskill said: "There are reasons why individuals may have alcohol in their system. It is also quite clear at the 50 (mg) limit, that is when impairment begins to kick in." | |
| The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) welcomed the move, and called for the rest of the UK to follow suit. | The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) welcomed the move, and called for the rest of the UK to follow suit. |
| Sandy Allan, RoSPA's Road Safety Manager in Scotland, said he believed the move would save lives and prevent injuries on Scotland's roads. | Sandy Allan, RoSPA's Road Safety Manager in Scotland, said he believed the move would save lives and prevent injuries on Scotland's roads. |
| He added: "There is a considerable body of research which shows that reducing drink drive limits is effective in reducing drink-drive deaths and injuries. We would like to see the rest of the UK follow Scotland's example." | He added: "There is a considerable body of research which shows that reducing drink drive limits is effective in reducing drink-drive deaths and injuries. We would like to see the rest of the UK follow Scotland's example." |
| When asked about why a joint approach with the Westminster government on the issue was not agreed, Mr MacAskill said: "We did seek that, but it was the United Kingdom government that decided not to lower the limit despite, I think, a great deal of public support for it being lowered down there." | |
| Drink-drive limit | Drink-drive limit |
| The drink-drive limit in the UK is currently 80mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood. | The drink-drive limit in the UK is currently 80mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood. |
| However - like Scotland - the limit in Northern Ireland could be reduced from 80mg in blood to 50mg as part of proposals included in the Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill. | However - like Scotland - the limit in Northern Ireland could be reduced from 80mg in blood to 50mg as part of proposals included in the Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill. |
| The bill is currently being considered by the Northern Ireland Assembly and could become law by early next year. | The bill is currently being considered by the Northern Ireland Assembly and could become law by early next year. |
| The latest estimates are that approximately one in 10 deaths on Scottish roads involve drivers who are over the legal limit. | The latest estimates are that approximately one in 10 deaths on Scottish roads involve drivers who are over the legal limit. |
| Research has suggested that just one alcoholic drink before driving can make you three times as likely to be involved in a fatal car crash. | Research has suggested that just one alcoholic drink before driving can make you three times as likely to be involved in a fatal car crash. |
| The Scottish government previously announced its intention to reduce the limit following a consultation which found almost three quarters of those who responded backed the move. | The Scottish government previously announced its intention to reduce the limit following a consultation which found almost three quarters of those who responded backed the move. |