MSP appeals over drink-drive limit

UK ministers came under fresh pressure yesterday to allow a lower drink-driving alcohol limit in Scotland.

Highlands and Islands MSP David Thompson wants the limit reduced from 80micrograms per 100millilitre of blood to 50mg.

The SNP backbencher claims the UK Government is dragging its feet by not giving Holyrood the power to make the change.

The ability to alter the limit was set out earlier this year among recommendations in the Calman report on devolution, which Labour ministers are considering.

Mr Thompson has now written to the UK transport minister highlighting recent talks to lower the limit in Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic.

He said: “If the UK Government won’t do it, they should pass the powers to Holyrood as soon as possible. Saving lives is too important for parties to play political games.

“Police, medical organisations, the European Union and the World Health Organisation all want to see the limit cut and enforcement improved.

“If the UK Government won’t do it for Great Britain, then they should at least let Scotland have the responsibilities to do it instead.”

Northern Ireland Environment Minister Edwin Poots supports the calls to reduce the limit to 50mg for most drivers and to 20mg for novice and professional drivers.

A spokesman for the UK Government’s Scotland Office said: “Devolving the drink-driving limit was only one of the many recommendations contained in the final report of the Commission on Scottish Devolution. The UK Government is poised to issue a white paper detailing its response imminently.”