SNP seeks power to further cut drink limit for young drivers

By ALASTAIR DALTON
Published on 20/09/2012 00:00

SCOTTISH ministers are to lobby to further cut the drink-drive limit for young and newly-qualified motorists.

The plan would go further than the general reduction in the limit from 80mg to 50mg of alcohol, which is under consultation. Justice secretary Kenny MacAskill told MSPs yesterday he would be seeking greater control over the issue from Westminster.

The Scottish Government has not indicated how much further it would like to lower the limit, but said low amounts of alcohol had a much stronger effect on drivers of 24 or younger than older ones.

Mr MacAskill said: “We 
would have wanted to 
explore the possibility of introducing a lower limit for young and newly-qualified drivers as part of our drink-driving consultation but, unfortunately, the UK government rejected our request to devolve these powers within the Scotland Act.

“We intend to approach the UK government again to seek further powers on drink-driving, such as the ability to prescribe differential drink-driving limits for different types of drivers.”