Drink drive limit proposals could lead to cross-border confusion
MOTORISTS driving over the Border from England within the current drink drive limit could soon be breaking the law if the Government forge ahead with their plans to lower the permitted level for Scotland.
And Lothian and Borders Police say they will be ready to catch drivers who travel into the country over the proposed drink drive limit of 50mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood, with Chief Constable David Strang lending his backing to the bid.
This means anyone who’s had a drink and drives the short distance from Berwick to Burnmouth or the even shorter trip from Cornhill to Coldstream could be at risk of prosecution.
The current drink drive limit for both England and Scotland is 80mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood, a figure which has been in place since 1966, but Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill believes reducing the limit by 30mg would save lives.
However, despite supporting any plans which could potentially make the region’s roads safer, Berwickshire MSP John Lamont said rather than altering the drink drive limit at a risk of confusing motorists, the Government should be taking more of a zero tolerance approach to the issue.
He told ‘The Berwickshire News’: “The focus of the Scottish Government should be to discourage such reckless behaviour.
“Instead of fussing over a the small difference between 50 and 80mg they should be focusing on cracking down on those individuals who drink heavily before getting in their car.
“Drivers will obviously be puzzled that they can be driving legally on in England, only to be found illegally over the limit a few miles later.
“However, should the limit be reduced, it is only correct that Lothian and Borders police enforce the law correctly.”
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Tuesday 18 June 2013
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