Dave Thompson MSP

SNP MSP Dave Thompson has repeated his calls for control over drink driving legislation to be devolved as soon as possible after reports the UK Government no longer intend to reduce the amount of alcohol that can be consumed before driving.

The Highlands & Islands MSP responded to a report in today’s Daily Mail that the UK Government would not change the law because of the impact on rural communities saying: “Rural areas suffer considerably from the effect of drunk driving. Reckless and drunk driving on country roads cause accidents that can devastate families and communities.

“There is a consensus across Scotland and the wider-UK that the drink driving limit should be reduced – Sir Peter North led the recent review on drink and drug driving and explicitly recommended lowering the limit as well as transferring the relevant powers for Scotland to Scottish Ministers.

"Scotland's police, the medical community and road safety campaigners are all behind this. The UK Government agreed the legislation on drink driving would be devolved and yet nothing has happened and now it seems they are back tracking on taking any action themselves.

“The Scottish Government has given its support to reducing the limit and is ready and waiting to take action as soon as Westminster hands over the powers we need to save lives on Scottish roads.

"The UK Government needs to quit playing games with people lives and take responsibility on this issue. It could not be more evident that the right way forward is lowering the limit to save the lives of those in rural and urban communities alike.”