About the limit

It appears 30 fatalities (14 per cent of all reported) were estimated to be due to drinking and driving accidents in Scotland in 2009 and casualties resulting from drink-drive accidents fell by 17 per cent since 1999 (from 1,110 to 920). In 2010, 3.6 per cent of drivers involved in accidents that resulted in injury who were asked for a breath test registered a positive reading or refused to take the test.

No breakdown was given for the level of alcohol found in drivers involved in fatalities. Anecdotally at least, it appears that many such drivers are two, three or four times the current legal limit. I would suggest that, before any consultation on lowering the limit takes place, it would be useful to have precise figures as to how many fatalities involve drivers with alcohol levels between the current and either of the proposed levels.

My own concern is that a reduction in the limit would be the final straw for many country pubs and hotels which are already struggling, adding even more empty boarded-up premises to those which currently disfigure our towns and villages.

The effect on the economy and the social well-being of local communities would be considerable, and it would be wise to base any change on hard evidence rather than emotion or zealotry.

Robert Cairns

Harrietfield

Perthshire

Although the reduction of Scotland’s drink-drive limit from 80mg to 50mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood may well have some impact, it will suffer from one fatal flaw – the lack of enforcement, just as at present.

Apart from high-profile drink-driving campaigns, which rope in increased numbers of drunk drivers and allow police to trumpet success, very little happens. The same can be said of speeding.

The small chance of being stopped by police will not deter the hardcore drinkers from driving and unless the police are allowed to allocate more resources to enforcement, any improvement will be insignificant.

The fear of being stopped is insufficient.

Bob MacDougall

Oxhill, Kippen

Stirlingshire

Once again the Scottish Government is asking for comments about a major issue. This time it is on the subject of reducing the drink-driving limit.

One has to question whether anyone should take valuable time out to submit their views as the previous majority opinion on gay marriage has been  ignored and trampled over by the SNP government.

In the past politicians were elected to reflect voters’ views, but now that seems to be the case only if these views match those of MSPs in Edinburgh. Surely this is not democracy.

The autocratic rule of our Scottish politicians fills many of us with dread over the upcoming referendum vote. Will it be honoured if the “desired result” is not achieved?

Iain J McConnell

Gifford

East Lothian