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Call for cut to drink-drive limit | Call for cut to drink-drive limit |
(about 9 hours later) | |
Scottish doctors have urged politicians from all parties to push the UK government to bring in a reduction in drink-driving limits. | Scottish doctors have urged politicians from all parties to push the UK government to bring in a reduction in drink-driving limits. |
The British Medical Association Scotland said it wanted the limit cut from 80mg to 50mg per 100ml of blood. | The British Medical Association Scotland said it wanted the limit cut from 80mg to 50mg per 100ml of blood. |
The organisation said the move could prevent as many as 65 deaths on the UK's roads every year. | The organisation said the move could prevent as many as 65 deaths on the UK's roads every year. |
The call came ahead of a Scottish government debate on drink driving at Holyrood on Thursday. | The call came ahead of a Scottish government debate on drink driving at Holyrood on Thursday. |
Any change to the alcohol limit would have to be agreed at Westminster as the issue is reserved. Every death represents a family tragedy and every serious injury can be devastating for the person involved and their relatives Dr Sally Winning BMA Scotland | |
BMA Scotland said the risk of a driver being involved in a collision rises significantly once their blood alcohol level rises above 50mg per 100ml. | BMA Scotland said the risk of a driver being involved in a collision rises significantly once their blood alcohol level rises above 50mg per 100ml. |
Dr Sally Winning, a member of the BMA's Scottish Council, said: "Doctors see and treat the tragic consequences of avoidable road accidents caused by drink driving and therefore believe that there is really no excuse for keeping the level at 80mg." | |
"Almost every European country has a 50mg or lower limit and the UK needs to follow this lead. | "Almost every European country has a 50mg or lower limit and the UK needs to follow this lead. |
"Every death represents a family tragedy and every serious injury can be devastating for the person involved and their relatives." | "Every death represents a family tragedy and every serious injury can be devastating for the person involved and their relatives." |
Doctors in Scotland would also like to see the police allowed to carry out roadside random breath tests. | Doctors in Scotland would also like to see the police allowed to carry out roadside random breath tests. |
At present, only drivers suspected of being over the limit can be tested by police. | At present, only drivers suspected of being over the limit can be tested by police. |
BMA Scotland said random tests were a vital element in deterring people from drinking and driving. | BMA Scotland said random tests were a vital element in deterring people from drinking and driving. |