Cats Protection is asking cat owners in Scotland to nominate their furry friends in this year’s National Cat Awards. Continue reading Search is on for most marvellous moggy
Day: January 16, 2019
Man thanks ambulance service staff following Waverley cardiac arrest
A dad who suffered a cardiac arrest in the middle of Waverley Station has offered a heartfelt thanks to the Scottish Ambulance Service crew who saved his life. Continue reading Man thanks ambulance service staff following Waverley cardiac arrest
New drug driving laws and roadside testing to improve road safety
Zero tolerance for people caught driving with illegal drugs in their system.
Scotland’s stringent road safety laws will be strengthened further by the introduction of drug driving limits and roadside testing on 21 October this year.
There will be a zero tolerance approach to eight drugs most associated with illegal use, including cannabis, heroin and cocaine, with limits set at a level where any claims of accidental exposure can be ruled out.
Meanwhile, a list of other drugs associated with medical use will have limits based on impairment and risk to road safety.
This will make it easier to hold drug drivers to account as there will no longer be a requirement to prove that someone was driving in an impaired manner.
Regulations laid in the Scottish Parliament, subject to MSPs’ approval, will permit prosecutions where different drug types are found to be above specified levels.
Police Scotland, the Scottish Police Authority and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service have been making preparations and are on track for implementation in October.
Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “The introduction of drug driving limits will strengthen the power of Scotland’s police and prosecutors to tackle the minority of drivers who irresponsibly put themselves and other road-users at risk.
“Drug driving is completely unacceptable, and we will continue to use all of the tools at our disposal to prevent the avoidable deaths and damage caused by those who drive under the influence of drugs.
“Together with our stringent drink-driving limits, these new laws will ensure that Scotland has the UK’s most robust laws against impaired and unsafe driving.”
Chief Inspector Stephen Innes of Police Scotland said:
“Police Scotland is committed to reducing road casualties, and tackling drink and drug driving is a key focus of our activity. The devastating impact of drug driving on victims, communities and users themselves cannot be understated.
“This new legislation will significantly enhance our ability to detect and deter motorists engaging in this extremely risky driving behaviour.
“We are currently working closely with key partners and plans are well advanced to deliver this new legislation in October this year.”
Let’s Get Critical!
Discussion Group at Stockbridge Library
Come along to the first session of Let’s Get Critical – our new Discussion Group. We’ll be getting to know one another over a warm beverage and chatting about some of the things the course might cover. Continue reading Let’s Get Critical!
Brock on Brexit vote: defeat for ‘deal that pleases no-one’
Following last night’s dramatic ‘meaningful vote’ at Westminster, in which the UK Government’s Brexit deal was overwhelmingly rejected by MPs, Edinburgh North and Leith MP Deidre Brock said: “This is a definitive moment in the long and shambolic process of Brexit. It’s been painful watching this hapless government stumble on regardless of the mess it has created, so I’m pleased that finally parliament has had a chance to say ‘no’ to a deal that pleases no-one.
“I could not vote for something which would destroy jobs, threaten food and medicine supplies, damage the NHS and force EU citizens to register to stay in their own homes. Scotland voted resoundingly to remain in the EU, by 78 per cent in Edinburgh North and Leith, and our voices must be heard. I’ll keep fighting tooth and nail to protect our rights as EU citizens”
What happens next?
The Brexit deal negotiated by Mrs May is basically in tatters and it’s extremely unlikely anyhting can be salvaged from it.
Following the humiliating defeat the Tory government now faces a vote of no confidence, but even in in the febrile atmosphere of the Palace of Westminster it’s unlikely that turkeys will vote for Christmas and Mrs May’s government is likely to survive – for the timebeing at least.
Assuming she survives tonight’s No Confidence vote, Mrs May must try to come up with a Plan B to resolve the Brexit impasse – something she has clearly been unable to produce over many months of negotiations … and she will be expected to deliver this within three days!
Perhaps, given the gravity of the situation, Mrs May will belatedly invite opposition leaders to participate in a ‘crisis cabinet’ to deliver on the referendum result. It’s very late in the day and the Brexit clock is inexorably ticking down, but the UK’s future remains in the hands of our politicians for now.
And if they cannot come up with a solution … a No Deal exit or another referendum, anyone?