Scotland to reduce Drink Drive limit.

[MondeoMan1981]

This isn't about road safety, it's about the SNP government wanting to make Scotland different.

If it was about safety they would have done it years ago.

[Nigel Worc's]

s2kjock said:

The IAM commentator I read on the media seemed to think this was not helpful due to the lack of evidence that drink drive RTCs were caused by those driving between the proposed new limit and the existing limit.

If there is evidence, I'd be keen to see it.

The above x a million !

[otolith]

There is probably a belief that if they can stop the sensible people having any alcohol it will have some effect on what the idiots consider acceptable. That strikes me as unfair on the sensible people and unlikely to be very effective on the idiots.

[SLCZ3]

otolith said:

There is probably a belief that if they can stop the sensible people having any alcohol it will have some effect on what the idiots consider acceptable. That strikes me as unfair on the sensible people and unlikely to be very effective on the idiots.

When has it been any different, the minority will continue to bring upon themselves blanket rulings that affect all and therefore are responsible for the encroachment of the government on us all.

[McWigglebum4th]

otolith said:

There is probably a belief that if they can stop the sensible people having any alcohol it will have some effect on what the idiots consider acceptable. That strikes me as unfair on the sensible people and unlikely to be very effective on the idiots.

No

It is too hard to increase policing and catch the people who are the problem who ignore the current limit

So by dipping them limit they re coming down hard on no one and are seen to be doing something

And anyone who objects is english traitor scum who wants to see babies run down while they sleep in their cots

[k-ink]

Presently I love drive out somewhere with my girlfriend, then have a small bottle of cold Peroni with my lunch or dinner. I know I am perfectly fine to drive home later on. If they change the rules it puts this whole tradition in the bin. Perhaps we won't bother going out for a drive and relax in a bar or restaurant mid week. If many follow suit business will suffer and the tax man won't be getting their cut.

[regprentice]

Body size and chemistry plays a role. Some years ago a friend of mine who was like a rake lost his licence over what he insisted was a single bottle of bud.

Mouthwash and other products can contain alcohol which would mislead a breathaliser. The received wisdom used to be if you find yourself in this situation is to insist on a blood test however i understand this is no longer the case. A further two breath tests are administered at the station and the lowest of the three used in prosecution.

Not sure if still the case but scot gov was also discussing the introduction of random testing (to catch morning after drivers, people who have had one drink with lunch etc) and 'differential limits' i.e. an even lower alcohol limit for younger drivers (17 -25?)

http://www.ernhw.org.uk/forum/2-public-forum/25746...

[RogerVulva]

In Aus we have to put up with the 0.05 limit. It's annoying but manageable, although I came bloody close to over last weekend. I know personally when I'm in that .04-.06 region I'm so overcautious I think I'm a brilliant driver. I'm 100% sure I'd be fine up to .08 but it's bloody harsh here when you get done. So many ordinary people get caught out after a couple of after work drinks on a Friday or driving home the next morning from a bender.

[AndrewCrown]

This is all thin end of the wedge... Politicians can't help messing with things.. They aren't real people and they do not understand the real world...
Just you wait, Scotland will fill itslef with bitter and twisted silly little rules which will make it very unattractive to visit..and spend money in.... didn't that Sturgeon women want to ban smoking outside as well?

Having said that I was in Poland recently.. drinking very heavily... and the drink drive rules there are universally (at least with the guys I was with) are respected... as there are so many Police..

[AndrewCrown]

This is all thin end of the wedge... Politicians can't help messing with things.. They aren't real people and they do not understand the real world...
Just you wait, Scotland will fill itslef with bitter and twisted silly little rules which will make it very unattractive to visit..and spend money in.... didn't that Sturgeon women want to ban smoking outside as well?

Having said that I was in Poland recently.. drinking very heavily... and the drink drive rules there are universally (at least with the guys I was with) are respected... as there are so many Police..

[Craigie]

Following on from this, has anyone ever tried using a phone APP to track their drinking and suitability for driving?

I had a hunt around and found an app called Alcodroid (for android phones not sure if there is an iphone equivalent). This claims to track your levels - you put in what drink you are having, time of start, time you stop etc and it gives you a real time data of what your levels are.

I had a few beers on Sat night and was very surprised exactly how much it thought I was allowed to drink and still be under the 80mg limit.

I had :
20.08 Beer 275ml 4.7% 1.29 units
20.21 Beer 275ml 4.7% 1.29 units
20.46 Beer 500ml 3.8% 1.90 units
21.21 Beer 500ml 4.5% 2.25 units
22.09 Beer 500ml 4.5% 2.25 units
23.04 Beer 500ml 4.0% 1.76 units
and the APP claimed that I only crossed the threshold at about 10.45pm even though I would realistically never have considered driving after the second beer touched my lips.

I am not too convinced at these figures but interested if anyone else has found a suitable APP?

(It goes without saying this is purely a curiosity thing rather than any scientific way of trying to drink and drive - although I do always wonder how, other than gut reaction, can you decide when its safe to drive in the morning after)

[k-ink]

I just stick to a one beer rule 99.9% of the time. If it was spread over a few hours and I had a few cokes in between I may consider a second final beer. That would still be well under, as I suspect the first would have vanished, but best to be safe. I couldn't be bothered with an app, or working it out.