MSPs confirm drink-driving limit cut

Drivers in Scotland will be subject to new lower alcohol limits from Friday 5 December, after MSPs yesterday unanimously confirmed the legal change.

The Scottish Government has already begun a publicity campaign to promote awareness of the change, along with the message that people should not drink at all if they are going to drive.

Breath alcohol will be subject to a legal maximum of 22 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 ml of breath, down from 35 at present, and blood alcohol to a limit of 50 milligrammes in 100 ml of blood, down from the present 80.

With the limits remaining unchanged in the rest of the UK, the information campaign will include events in England, electronic signs on major roads at the border and information in filling stations.

MSPs also supported a Conservative proposal that penalties should be "proportionate", but the Parliament does not have the power to vary the current mandatory 12-month disqualification.