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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Call for cut to drink-drive limit | Call for cut to drink-drive limit |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| 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 has backed the Scottish Government's bid to cut the limit 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 as the Scottish Parliament debated drink-driving. | |
| During the debate, Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill told MSPs the current drink-drive limit, which has been in place for 40 years, was "outdated and unfit for purpose". | |
| 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 | 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 |
| Mr MacAskill said he had written to the Department of Transport earlier this year, setting out the Scottish Government's support for a reduction in the drink-driving limit, as well as random breath testing. | |
| He said: "A lower limit will reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries and that is why we are pursuing this matter." | |
| But the "safest option" for drivers was to not drink and drive at all, he added. | |
| 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." | 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. |