MOTORISTS have been warned not to drink alcohol at all when the new lower drink drive limit comes into force in less than three weeks.

The lowering of the limit will be approved by MSPs today. Police and the Justice Secretary have said drinking any amount alcohol impairs ability and it should be avoided.

The new limit will be in place from December 5, reducing the limit from 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood to 50mg per 100ml, in time for the annual Christmas and New Year crackdown of drink driving

A campaign to warn drivers of the changes was launched today, to highlight the new law and reinforce the anti-drink driving message.

Justice Secretary, Kenny MacAskill said: "We are doing everything we can to make sure everyone is informed about the new lower level.

"A persistent minority of people are still getting behind the wheel after drinking - that is unacceptable, it is putting lives at risk and it must stop.

"Our advice is simple, the best approach is to have no alcohol at all. Alcohol at any level impairs driving."

Mr MacAskill said the new law brings Scotland in to line with most of Europe but it will see a lower limit that in England and Wales.

Police hope the lower limit will see a reduction in the number of crashes and fatalities and fewer people arrested for being over the limit.

Around 20 people a year die in crashes where alcohol has been a factor and 90 people are seriously injured.

Chief Superintendent Iain Murray, head of roads policing, said: "The new, lower limit will reduce those numbers and the evidence from across Europe, where the lower limit already applies, suggests we will see reductions in drink driving.

"However, even at the new limit you are three times more likely to die in a crash than if you had taken no alcohol.

"It is clear, when it comes to drinking and driving, that the simple 'the best advice is none' message is the right one."

The new campaign will involve spreading the message at places where people enter Scotland, such as airports and road signs close to the border with England, to warn of the different rules in Scotland.

Also places people visit regularly, like supermarkets and petrol stations will feature publicity about the new limit.

The changes have been welcomed by safety campaigners and the Scottish Ambulance Service.

stewart.paterson@ eveningtimes.co.uk