Fears Christmas travel rules will boost drink driving

There are concerns the cutback to Scotland's Christmas bubble rules is going to have the effect of increasing the risk of drink driving.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed on Saturday night that plans to allow three households to meet for up to 5 days were being scaled back to just Christmas Day.

While Scottish Government's official advice is for families to spend the 25th on their own at home, the law says you can travel anywhere within Scotland so long as you can get there and back before the clock ticks past midnight on Boxing Day.

'Cinderella effect'

There are fears this 'Cinderella effect' could see people getting behind the wheel and racing to get home before the deadline.

Neil Greig from the IAM is telling Clyde 1: "We're very concerned that having concentrated Christmas into one day now means people will be tempted when they go to have a meal with relatives, and that could end with up with doing some drink driving they didn't intend to do."

Scotland introduced the UK's toughest drink drive limits in 2014 reducing the legal alcohol limit for driving from 80mg to 50mg in every 100ml of blood.

Just one pint of beer or a large glass of wine could be enough to put a man over the limit, and less for women.

Life changing consequences

Anyone caught drink driving faces losing their driving licence for 12 months.

"A drink drive conviction isn't just for Christmas, it will last for years." says Neil Greig.

"You'll be paying higher insurance premiums. You might lose your job. You'll have a criminal conviction. So the advice is to stay sober - it isn't worth the risk.

"Part of your planning for Christmas should be that you have a designated driver.

"A really good host should always have a non-alcoholic alternative available but I think this Christmas its even more important than ever."

Get more information on Scotland's drink drive laws here.

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