UP TO 17 lives a year could be saved under plans to lower the legal drink-drive limit north of the Border, the Scottish Government has claimed.

A consultation aimed at introducing a new limit of 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, down from the current 80mg limit, has the broad support of the public, Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said.

The move, which could put some drivers over the limit after one glass of wine or a pint of strong lager, would bring Scotland in line with countries such as France, Germany and Spain, but create a difference with England.

Mr MacAskill said: "I think we're expecting support around the chamber. Although it's being driven by the SNP Government, we know that other parties are with us on this.

"We've got these powers, we're acting to save lives. If we had more powers, I think we'd save more lives."

The power to set drink-driving limits was among those transferred to Holyrood under the Scotland Act this year.

The consultation states that between three and 17 lives a year could be saved by introducing the new limit. This is based on evidence gathered in England and Wales for a review published by Sir Peter North last year which recommended the lower 50mg limit. Its findings were rejected by the Coalition Government.

Deputy Chief Constable Tom Ewing, who leads on road policing for the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, backed the plan. He said the proposed 50mg limit would mean people could have no more than one drink before driving, but added: "The message should be: don't drink and drive."