Call made for stricter drink drive limit

FORMER GP and Lothians SNP MSP Ian McKee is calling for tough new drink drive limits to be implemented immediately in Scotland.

An independent UK review lead by Sir Peter North recommended earlier this week that the legally permitted alcohol level should be reduced from 80mg per 100 ml of blood to 50mg.

Drink drive limits are currently a Westminster responsibility, but the cross-party Calman commission recommended they should be transferred to the Scottish Parliament.

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Dr McKee said the proposed new limit would bring the UK into line with the majority of EU countries.

France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Finland, Denmark, Greece, Belgium and the Netherlands all operate a 50mg limit, while Norway and Sweden have a 20mg maximum.

Dr McKee said: "Hundreds of lives could be saved if the drink driving limit was cut.

"It's outrageous that Scotland's drink driving limit is four times the level of Norway and Sweden – nations with similar alcohol problems to Scotland.

"Scotland has a serious alcohol problem and each week far too many lives are lost because of this dangerous and outdated limit."