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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Call for cut to drink-drive limit | Call for cut to drink-drive limit |
| (about 2 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 has backed the Scottish Government's bid to cut the limit from 80mg to 50mg per 100ml of blood. | 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. | 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Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill told MSPs the current drink-drive limit, which has been in place for 40 years, was "outdated and unfit for purpose". | 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Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill told MSPs the current drink-drive limit, which has been in place for 40 years, was "outdated and unfit for purpose".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. | 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." | 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 not to drink and drive at all, he added. | But the "safest option" for drivers was not to drink and drive at all, he added. |
| Labour's Richard Baker said the drink-drive limit is reserved to Westminster and, while he thought it would be better to lower the limit, it was "sensible" to have consistency across the UK on the issue. | Labour's Richard Baker said the drink-drive limit is reserved to Westminster and, while he thought it would be better to lower the limit, it was "sensible" to have consistency across the UK on the issue. |
| He said: "I would hope on this most important of issues we could get beyond stoking up constitutional debate and ministers here looking to set themselves in opposition to their Westminster counterparts. | He said: "I would hope on this most important of issues we could get beyond stoking up constitutional debate and ministers here looking to set themselves in opposition to their Westminster counterparts. |
| "Surely it is more important to seek a consensus."Drinking alcohol reduces the reaction times of drivers | |
| Liberal Democrat health spokesman Ross Finnie said his party backed reducing the drink-driving limit from the current 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood to 50mg | Liberal Democrat health spokesman Ross Finnie said his party backed reducing the drink-driving limit from the current 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood to 50mg |
| He also argued there was plenty of evidence to support a cut in the drink-driving limit. | He also argued there was plenty of evidence to support a cut in the drink-driving limit. |
| He said: "I am puzzled as to why the UK Government seems to believe there has been no studies carried out, no evidence produced on this matter, over the last 10 years. | He said: "I am puzzled as to why the UK Government seems to believe there has been no studies carried out, no evidence produced on this matter, over the last 10 years. |
| "Indeed one could almost suggest they are wilfully ignoring all of the evidence that has been produced over the last 10 years." | "Indeed one could almost suggest they are wilfully ignoring all of the evidence that has been produced over the last 10 years." |
| Scottish Conservative justice spokesman Bill Aitken said fewer people were getting behind the wheel after drinking. | Scottish Conservative justice spokesman Bill Aitken said fewer people were getting behind the wheel after drinking. |
| But he argued the problem of drivers taking to the roads under the influence of drugs was increasing. | But he argued the problem of drivers taking to the roads under the influence of drugs was increasing. |
| High risk | High risk |
| 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. |