English motorists warned as Scotland lowers drink-drive limits

Experts say the long-running public awareness campaign to reduce drink driving has been "a huge success". Credit: PA

The drink-drive limit in Scotland has been reduced and motorists risk braking the law if they stick to English limits when they cross the border.

The Scottish Parliament at Holyrood unanimously agreed to lower the limit from 80mg to 50mg of alcohol in every 100ml of blood.

Holyrood's Justice Secretary Michael Matheson said the new laws would save lives and Scotland was leading the way for tighter drink-drive limits in the UK.

Mr Matheson said about 20 deaths a year in Scotland were a result of "people getting behind the wheel while over the legal limit".

ITV News Scotland Correspondent Debi Edward reports.

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However, motorists south of the border have been warned they could legally get behind the wheel after having a drink in England but be over the limit in Scotland.

Still, road safety campaigners are hoping the tighter laws in Scotland will soon mean Westminster will introduce tougher restrictions in the rest of the UK.

Road safety organisation Brake is calling for a limit of just 20mg to be brought in and welcomed Holyrood's tougher stance.

Deputy chief executive Julie Townsend said:

The RAC study also found that more than a third (38%) of UK motorists living outside Scotland believe the alcohol limit for driving should be reduced to the same level throughout the rest of Britain.

The study of 2,607 motorists - including 10% from Scotland - found almost a quarter (23%) of UK drivers would prefer to go a step further and have a total ban on consuming any alcohol before driving.

AA president Edmund King backed the move for a blanket ban on alcohol for drivers and urged motorists not to drink at all if they were going to get behind the wheel:

"The different limits north and south of the border should not be a problem if drivers follow the mantra: If you are going to drive, don't drink, and if you are going to drink, don't drive. It is far too dangerous to try to judge how much you can safely drink whether the limit is 50mg or 80mg."

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