BMA Scotland says tighter rules will save lives in the UK

The British Medical Association Scotland said MSPs should put pressure on London to change the rules, as the issue has been reserved to Westminster.

BMA Scotland said nearly every European country had a 50mg or lower alcohol limit in 100ml of blood, except the UK.

Department for Transport officials said the matter was under "constant review", but the priority was enforcement.

In the UK, the limit has been set at 80mg, which BMA Scotland said "significantly" raised the risk of drivers having an accident.

Current limit

Doctors said they had seen a rise in drink-drive fatalities and want limits reduced to the lower, European level - the equivalent of a small 175ml glass of wine or half a pint of strong beer.

This, they said, could prevent as many as 65 deaths a year in the UK.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has agreed and said the current limit was set during the "swinging 60s".

He said the Scottish Cabinet would discuss how best to secure a change in the law.