Lower limit leads to fall in drink-driving

DRINK-DRIVING offences fell by 17 per cent in the first three months of the year, following a reduction in the alcohol limit, Police Scotland figures have shown.

The January-March drop followed the introduction of a lower drink-drive limit in December, which meant one drink could put a motorist over the legal limit.

The number of offences fell to 997 from 1,209 in the same period in 2014.

Police Scotland warned it would continue to stop and breath-test a driver every two minutes as it launched its annual summer drink-drive crackdown.

Chief Superintendent Iain Murray, head of road policing, said: ‘Police stop more than 20,000 Scottish drivers a month: that’s one vehicle every two minutes.

‘If you have committed an offence, or if we have reasonable cause to suspect that you have been drinking, you may be subjected to a breath test. Even if you’re just over the limit, you’re still a drunk-driver in the eyes of the law – there is no grey area.

‘This may affect your current and future employment and can have wider implications for other areas of your life including overseas travel, even for family holidays.’

The new limit of 50mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood brought Scotland into line with most of Europe, but is lower than in England, where it remains at 80mg.

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson said: ‘Since the introduction of the new lower drink-drive limit six months ago, Scotland is starting to see a real change in behaviour.

‘The 17 per cent reduction in drink-driving offences indicates that Scottish drivers are avoiding alcohol when they are driving.

‘Fewer drink-driving offences is a positive story for Scotland and shows that we’re leading social and legislative change in the UK.

‘We’re urging Scots to take care this summer and to remember it’s safer to avoid driving if you’ve consumed alcohol.’

Following the introduction of the new legislation in Scotland, the Police Federation of England and Wales last week issued a call for the legal limit south of the Border to be amended in line with Scotland.

The new drink-drive limit has seen Scottish golf clubs and country pubs particularly badly affected.

A spokesman for the Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) has described the change as ‘a form of prohibition’ and has called on ministers to take action to mitigate the financial impact.

One of the largest purchasing organisations for the hospitality trade in the UK, Beacon, said the new law had dramatically changed customers’ habits. Director of sales Tennant Hilditch said: ‘The first three months of the new drink-driving laws being in force have shown a real impact on the hospitality industry in Scotland.

‘Some of our hotel, bar and golf club customers fear the downturn will be particularly bad for their peak tourist periods of spring and the summer holidays.

‘Traditional lunchtime drinkers, or post-golf drinkers in the clubhouse, have been particularly affected by the new rules. We are seeing demand for smaller glasses and weaker beers.’

A recent SLTA survey found Scotland’s pubs are losing millions of pounds due to the new law, with 72 per cent of outlets seeing alcohol sales fall by at least 10 per cent between December and February. Food sales were also affected.

SLTA chief executive Paul Waterson said: ‘It is very concerning.’