Scotland’s doctors are calling on the UK Government to reduce drink driving limits from 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood to 50mg, a move they say would prevent up to 65 deaths a year on UK roads. 

The British Medical Association in Scotland is using its annual Christmas card to call on the SNP Government at Holyrood to increase pressure on Westminster to reduce the limit, as it is a reserved matter.

The 50mg/100ml limit is standard across Europe and much of the Western world.

Launching the campaign, Dr Sally Winning, a member of the BMA’s Scottish Council, said:

“Drink driving continues to be a hazard on Scotland’s roads. In 2005, 30 people were killed and there were 660 drink driving related accidents involving 990 casualties. Our message is clear. Lives could be saved simply by reducing the drink driving limit. There is evidence that driving is impaired with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) level over 50mg/100ml and it is estimated that around 65 lives could be saved in the UK by lowering the drink drive limit.

“Legislating to reduce the drink drive limit is a matter reserved to Westminster and they have been stalling on this issue for nearly 10 years. That is why the BMA is calling on MSPs and the Scottish Government to exert more pressure on the UK Government to take action now and reduce the limit from 80 to 50mg. This will bring us into line with nearly every other country in Europe.”

Justice Minister Kenny MacAskill said the Scottish Government supported a change in the law:

“The new Scottish Government takes this issue very seriously. The Scottish Cabinet will also discuss in the near future how best to secure a change in the law. Lowering the limit is currently reserved to the Westminster government.”