What is the drink-drive limit? Should it be lowered? - pictures

Seven months after Scotland introduced a new, lower drink-driving limit, we find out the effect it’s had on road safety – and if there’s a lesson for the rest of the UK to learn. <b>&nbsp;</b>

To get a taste of how rigorously the roads are being policed, we went on patrol with Inspector Andy Thomson and PC Allan Duff early on a Monday morning on the roads in and around Stirling.

Before the new lower limit, officers were catching 106 drink-drivers a week; now it’s down to an average of 80 a week.

Inspector Andy Thomson and PC Allan Duff use this BMW 5 Series Touring patrol car.&nbsp;

In a period of around 45 minutes, we stop three drivers. This time it's someone in a Ford Transit with a fault brake light. As a matter of course, the driver - William Harper - undergoes a breath test and reads zero. He says the lower

Police Scotland says public acceptance of the new lower limit has been a driving force behind the introduction and implementation of the new system.&nbsp;

Police officers out on patrol look out for anyone committing road traffic offences and have the authority to breath test anyone they stop.&nbsp;

Shaun Lemmon - “I completely accept the new limit. It’s a maturity thing – you know you shouldn’t drink-drive and that’s it. I’d never have done it anyway, and I’m even less likely to now.”

June Watt - “The conscientious are now even more aware, but I don’t think it stops hardened drink-drivers, so I have mixed feelings. It spoils your enjoyment of a glass of wine with a meal. Now I don’t have a thing.”

Theresa McLean - “The general consensus is that it has made people more responsible. Previously I might have had a couple of glasses of wine in the evening and driven the next day. Now you really think about what you’re drinking.”

Wendy Mackie - “I knew the limit had been lowered, but wasn’t aware it was lower here than in England. Yet it doesn’t bother me. I’d never do it. It’s just something you wouldn’t consider doing.”

Christine Campbell - “There was loads of advertising about the new limit so you couldn’t miss it. People are definitely more aware now about the dangers of drink-driving. I get my husband to pick me up if I’m out.”

Suzanne Beaton - “Of course it’s a good idea. It should actually be zero, instead of just being lowered. Why take the risk? There’s no need to have a drink if you are driving. I certainly wouldn’t have one. There’s absolutely no excuse

<span>Iain Murray </span><span>Head of Roads Policing -&nbsp;</span>“If people die on the roads, it’s considered a ‘tragic accident’. But it isn’t. These things are avoidable.” <span><b>&nbsp;</b></span> <span>&nbsp;</span>

Scotland's drink-driving limit now sits at 50mg, in line with the majority of the rest of Europe. Only England, Wales and Malta remain with the higher 80mg limit. Legislation is shortly due in Northern Ireland that will cut its limit t