A sheriff has warned motorists that one drink can put them over the legal limit in Scotland after issuing driving bans.
It followed two cases at Dumfries Sheriff Court where both drivers involved claimed they had consumed just one pint.
Sheriff Scott Pattison fined them £450 each and banned them from driving for a year.
“That’s the lesson in Scotland,” he told them. “Just one drink can put you over, it’s as tight as that.”
Donald McCallie, 66, of Annan, admitted driving in nearby Summergate Road on 19 April with a reading of 35 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath. Since December 2014 the legal limit has been 22 micrograms.
His solicitor Liz Dougan said McCallie had had one pint of cider and if he had been just 10 miles down the road in England he would not have been committing an offence.
The legal limit in England is 35 micrograms.
Ashley Medicks, 62, of Kirkgunzeon, also pleaded guilty to driving in High Street, Dalbeattie, on 21 April with a reading of 32, also over the 22 microgram limit.
He too stressed that he had had just one pint.
However, the sheriff fined both men and banned them from the road.
By some of the comments on another thread maybe if they stopped some hgv drivers then they may get a suprise aswell.Not have a go at anyone but 2-4 cans at night may still be over in the morning.
dri-diddly-iver:
Not with 12 hours difference. 1 hour per unit 6 units consumed - 12hrs without = zero or very near.
Not if your on an 11 hour break with 7 hrs sleep then away again would you be under the limit in scotland■■?.Eagerbeaver i know what you mean but if they dont think about it then thats there issue.I dont touch a drop when am parked up just wait till the weekend and enjoy it more.
Colin_scottish:
I dont touch a drop when am parked up just wait till the weekend and enjoy it more.
Could agree more!
I used to drink on Weds nights, I’d have maybe 5-6 cans whilst watching a film till about 10 then bed as up for 6.
Never thought much of it, felt OK in morning
Then in March I had an accident, a car lost control and hit into side of my truck. First thing police did was breathalyse me.
That moment REALLY brought it home, never been breathalysed before in my life.
Was zero but since then vowed never to drink on a working night again as way too easy to be over limit and through a no fault accident lose my licence!
Colin_scottish:
I dont touch a drop when am parked up just wait till the weekend and enjoy it more.
Could agree more!
I used to drink on Weds nights, I’d have maybe 5-6 cans whilst watching a film till about 10 then bed as up for 6.
Never thought much of it, felt OK in morning
Then in March I had an accident, a car lost control and hit into side of my truck. First thing police did was breathalyse me.
That moment REALLY brought it home, never been breathalysed before in my life.
Was zero but since then vowed never to drink on a working night again as way too easy to be over limit and through a no fault accident lose my licence!
Lesson learnt that day!
Yeah, but you said yourself that after your “mammoth” drinking session you still blew zero the next day. So why change something which obviously (and understandably) gave you pleasure when you’ve had it proved absolutely that it gave you no ill effects whatsoever?
It’s akin to being interviewed by the police because you bear a passing resemblance to someone they are seeking. You are interviewed and rightly released as you are innocent, would you then change your appearance to avoid it happening again?
I’d like to think that most of us possess a modicum of common sense with regards to drinking, but ask yourself how long you are prepared to put up with other people deciding what is best for you?
That accident day wasn’t a Thurs so I blew zero, honestly don’t know if it had happened on a Thursday morning after my Wednesday few ( can’t call it a mammoth session lol) if the alcohol count would still be below legal limit. Maybe it would, maybe not. Point is I’d rather not find out the hard way!
dri-diddly-iver:
Not with 12 hours difference. 1 hour per unit 6 units consumed - 12hrs without = zero or very near.
Not if your on an 11 hour break with 7 hrs sleep then away again would you be under the limit in scotland■■?.
clearly states above 12 hours without! 12 hours difference from last drink to start time. Plus more than 7 hours sleep!! Please read carefully, it’s not uncommon to park up for over 12 hours
The article says he was one digit over 22 so 23? I’ve read up on drink driving and it says if you blow over by 1/2 you get a verbal warning. But even if this isn’t true you can’t be prosecuted by a roadside device you need a second sample at the police station. Blow 23 roadside and you still blow 23 at the station? Somebody is telling porkies in that article.
clearly states above 12 hours without! 12 hours difference from last drink to start time. Plus more than 7 hours sleep!! Please read carefully, it’s not uncommon to park up for over 12 hours 