By Lucy Adams BBC Scotland The Scottish government has announced plans to reduce the country's drink-drive limit in time for Christmas.
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has taken steps which, if approved by the Scottish Parliament, would mean a new limit being introduced on 5 December.
Under the plans, Scotland's blood alcohol limit would be cut from 80mg to 50mg in every 100ml of blood.
It would mean the legal limit in Scotland would be lower than in England - where the limit is 80mg in blood.
The draft legislation to make the change has been laid before parliament, and will bring Scotland's legal alcohol limits in line with much of Europe.
A public awareness campaign will warn drivers not to drink at all.
Save livesMr MacAskill said drinking and driving shattered families and communities, and that it was time to take action to reduce the risk on the country's roads.
He told BBC Scotland the plans to change the drink-drive limit had "broad support".
The justice secretary said: "The support comes not just from the police and law enforcement. It comes from those involved in road safety."
Asked why the government didn't simply apply a zero tolerance approach, Mr MacAskill said: "There are reasons why individuals may have alcohol in their system. It is also quite clear at the 50 (mg) limit, that is when impairment begins to kick in."
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) welcomed the move, and called for the rest of the UK to follow suit.
Sandy Allan, RoSPA's Road Safety Manager in Scotland, said he believed the move would save lives and prevent injuries on Scotland's roads.
He added: "There is a considerable body of research which shows that reducing drink drive limits is effective in reducing drink-drive deaths and injuries. We would like to see the rest of the UK follow Scotland's example."
When asked about why a joint approach with the Westminster government on the issue was not agreed, Mr MacAskill said: "We did seek that, but it was the United Kingdom government that decided not to lower the limit despite, I think, a great deal of public support for it being lowered down there."
Drink-drive limitThe drink-drive limit in the UK is currently 80mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood.
However - like Scotland - the limit in Northern Ireland could be reduced from 80mg in blood to 50mg as part of proposals included in the Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill.
The bill is currently being considered by the Northern Ireland Assembly and could become law by early next year.
The latest estimates are that approximately one in 10 deaths on Scottish roads involve drivers who are over the legal limit.
Research has suggested that just one alcoholic drink before driving can make you three times as likely to be involved in a fatal car crash.
The Scottish government previously announced its intention to reduce the limit following a consultation which found almost three quarters of those who responded backed the move.
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