The drink drive limit in the UK could soon be lowered as part of the Government’s newly unveiled Road Safety Strategy, the first of its kind in over ten years.
The plans signal a major shift in how road safety is handled in England and Wales, with ministers openly questioning whether the current alcohol limit for drivers is still fit for purpose.
The strategy sets out a long-term ambition to reduce road deaths and serious injuries by 65% by 2035, responding to what officials describe as an avoidable public safety crisis on Britain’s roads.
Why is the UK government reviewing the drink-drive limit now?
According to the Department for Transport, four people die on UK roads every day, while thousands more are left with life-changing injuries each year.
Alcohol, alongside speeding, mobile phone use and failure to wear seatbelts, continues to be a recurring factor in the most serious crashes.
The Government believes the existing drink-drive limit in England and Wales is no longer aligned with modern evidence on driver impairment.
BREAKING: The Government’s new Road Safety Strategy
– Investigation into vehicle designs to end the brightness of car headlights
– Consultation on lowering the drink-drive limit in England and Wales – currently 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood – including a lower limit…
— Politics UK (@PolitlcsUK) January 6, 2026
Even small amounts of alcohol can reduce reaction times and judgment, increasing the likelihood of collisions.
Road Safety Trust: “There is no safe amount of alcohol when driving. Lower limits send a clearer message and reduce risk across all age groups.”
What is the current drink-drive limit in the UK?
At present, the legal drink-drive limit varies across the UK, which has added to confusion among drivers who travel between nations.
| Country | Legal blood alcohol limit |
|---|---|
| England & Wales | 80mg per 100ml of blood |
| Scotland | 50mg per 100ml of blood |
| France | 50mg per 100ml of blood |
| Germany | 50mg per 100ml of blood |
| Sweden | 20mg per 100ml of blood |
Scotland reduced its limit in 2014, while England and Wales continue to operate the highest permitted level in Europe. Safety experts say this makes the case for reform increasingly hard to ignore.
Would lowering the drink-drive limit actually make roads safer?
Evidence from Scotland suggests that lowering the limit can help shift public behaviour.
While enforcement remains crucial, surveys following the 2014 change showed increased public awareness that “one drink could be too many” before driving.
Medical experts also highlight that impairment begins well below the current England and Wales threshold, particularly for younger drivers and those driving at night.
Department for Transport spokesperson: “This strategy is about tackling the real causes of serious collisions and preventing families from losing loved ones unnecessarily.”
What other changes are included in the Road Safety Strategy?
Alongside reviewing the drink-drive limit UK, the Government plans a wider crackdown on unsafe driving and vehicle standards. Key areas of focus include:
- Stronger enforcement against uninsured vehicles and those without a valid MOT
- Action on illegal number plates, which are often used to avoid detection
- Improved training standards for learners and newly qualified drivers
In addition, proposals include mandatory eye tests for drivers over 70, reflecting concerns about age-related vision decline and collision risk.
How could this affect everyday UK drivers?
If the drink-drive limit is lowered in England and Wales, drivers may need to rethink social drinking entirely.
A single pint of beer or glass of wine could push some motorists over the legal limit, while “morning-after” driving would carry a greater risk of prosecution.
Police forces are also expected to increase roadside breath testing if the law changes, reinforcing the message that driving after drinking is unacceptable at any level.
