In December last year Scotland lowered it’s drink driving limit to match the vast majority of Europe. However, a recent study has revealed that it has had little effect on the crime rates or accident rates on Scotland’s roads.
In the first free months of the year, Police Scotland recorded 1,337 offences relating to drink and drug driving, a minor reduction from the 1,388 seen over the same period in the previous year.
New Drink Driving Law
Under the new rules, the legal alcohol limit for Scottish motorists dropped from 80mg to 50mg in every 100ml of blood with drivers being warned that having “no alcohol at all” was the best way to ensure they stay within the limit. Motorists were also warned about driving the day after a night out. Such was the high-profile nature of the campaign and the advice given to drivers, it is suggested that many are heeding the advice of the road safety campaign and that the behaviour of drivers in Scotland was changing.
The minor decrease in the number of drivers under the influence of alcohol and drugs goes directly against the figures put together by the Police who reported that they expected to catch at least a third more drivers under the new rules. It is believed by some that this was one of the main reasons for lowering the driving limit. Many have been critical of the new law saying it penalises sensible drinkers and is harming Scotland’s pubs and restaurants.
Superintendent Fraser Candlish, of Police Scotland’s road policing division, said the new limit had proved to be a “good deterrent” in stopping people drink-driving. In a statement, he said: “It is still unacceptable that a minority chose to ignore all the advice and warnings and get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol. They are not just risking their lives but also those of other road users and pedestrians.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson also welcomed the new figures and backed the changed law saying: “It is extremely encouraging to see that the number of drink driving offences fell in the first quarter since the lower limit came into force in Scotland. These statistics show that the new lower limit has helped to make our roads safer while bringing Scotland into line with almost every other country in Europe.
“We are determined to end the tragedy of deaths caused by drink driving, and if this new law saves one life, then it will be a success. The aim of the lower drink drive limit has always been to result in less drink driving, not more people convicted. Alcohol at any level impairs driving, which is why our message is if you’re driving, the best approach is none.”
Road Traffic Accidents
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