Scotland's new lower drink drive limit

22 December 2014

Scotland’s new lower drink drive limit is now 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. This came into effect on Friday 5th December 2014.

The likelihood of being caught is now greater than ever before. It’s estimated that Police Scotland stop over 80,000 vehicles each month, with around 20,000 offences detected every month.

The Police have a commitment to breathalyse any driver who has:

•  been stopped for any moving traffic offence (e.g. using a mobile phone, a faulty brake light, not wearing a seatbelt)
• they suspect has been drinking or taking drugs
• has been involved in an accident

Even if you’re under the limit, you can still be charged with impairment through drink or drugs (legal or illegal).

The vehicle forfeiture scheme targets repeat offenders, and also first-time offenders who are three times the limit or more or who refuse to provide a sample for analysis. This scheme means you could lose your car, for good.

For more information please click here.

Drivers in the UK will also be stopped by police and tested for drugs by the side of the road in a war on drug-driving this Christmas and New Year holiday.

The Home Office has approved roadside testing kits that will analyse samples of saliva instantly to detect illegal substances as well as so-called "legal highs".

Police will also use the kits to catch drivers who have taken prescription medicines, including strong painkillers, sleeping pills and drugs to treat anxiety, that can impair their ability to concentrate on the road.

Ministers are to order police to carry the "drugalyser" kits alongside conventional "breathalysers", which test motorists for alcohol consumption. Officers are expected to begin using the equipment within days.

For more information please click here..