Just one for the road: Scots cut drink-drive limit

Scotland has reduced its legal alcohol limit from 80mg of alcohol to 50mg in every 100ml of blood.

18:34 05 December 2014

Scotland has officially reduced its drink-driving limit from 80mg of alcohol to 50mg in every 100ml of blood. It’s equivalent to reducing the previously accepted two pints of standard-strength beer to one pint or from one-and-a-half glasses of win to just one glass.

However, since each person processes alcohol differently, people who are traveling in Scotland are being advised not to drink any alcohol at all before getting behind the wheel.

Scotland's Justice Secretary Michael Matheson told Sky News: "It's very important that we take action to improve safety on our roads.

"We know that alcohol is a factor in one in 10 of road traffic deaths in Scotland, and by reducing the limit we can make sure we get the message to people that drink-driving is unacceptable."

When asked if the new rule might confuse cross-border motorists, Mr Matheson replied: "People have a responsibility as drivers to make themselves aware of the regulations and rules of the country in which they're driving.

"We have different laws in Scotland over a range of different matters so it's important that anyone visiting Scotland is made aware of that."