The number of drink drive deaths in Scotland has doubled in the last ten years, with Glasgow having the highest amount of 'driving under the influence’ offences in the country.
A report from Transport Scotland published today shows there were 20 fatalities in 2020 compared with 10 in 2010.
The overall number of alcohol-related casualties was down, however, by 66 per cent over the same period, from 740 to 250. Almost half of Scottish motorists (49.5 per cent) involved in a crash last year were breathalysed by Police, with 3.5 per cent testing positive.
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Hunter Abbott, managing director of breathalyser firm AlcoSense, said: “At nearly 50% the proportion of breath tests by Scottish Police is higher than England & Wales, where only 40% of motorists are tested after an accident.
“The failure rate in Scotland is also much lower, at 3.5% compared with 6% over the border.
“It’s encouraging to see drink drive accidents decreasing - but 20 fatalities is 20 deaths too many.
“Whilst the lowering of the legal limit has resulted in a hardening of attitudes towards drink driving, there’s still a reckless minority who flout the law."
The Scottish drink drive limit was lowered in December 2014 from 80mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood to 50mg.
Even at one fifth of the Scottish limit you are still 37% more likely to be involved in a fatal crash, research shows.
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