The UK Government is planning to dramatically tighten drink-driving limits in England and Wales, reducing the legal threshold from 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath to 22 micrograms. This represents more than a third reduction in the permitted alcohol level and could mean just one beer or standard glass of wine puts some motorists over the limit, as Chronicle Live reports.
Under current rules, the drink-driving limit roughly equates to three units of alcohol for women and four units for men. This translates to around two pints of low-strength beer or just over one pint of high-strength beer, with a standard glass of wine containing around two units and a large glass containing three units.
The proposed reduction means there is no safe limit for alcohol consumption when driving. Motoring experts warn that individual factors like age, weight and metabolism affect alcohol tolerance, making it safest not to drink at all when planning to drive, Birmingham Live reports.
Major road safety overhaul planned
Ministers are considering a comprehensive overhaul of road safety laws as part of an autumn strategy announcement. The proposals include tougher penalties for uninsured drivers and failing to wear a seatbelt, alongside the drink-driving limit reduction aimed at cutting road deaths and injuries.
The push comes amid alarming statistics showing 1,633 people were killed and almost 28,000 seriously injured in traffic incidents last year. Numbers have remained relatively constant following a large fall between 2000 and 2010, with drink-driving deaths reaching a 13-year high in 2022.
Expert warnings on alcohol limits
Rhydian Jones, motoring expert at Confused.com, said: "This new proposal aims to help improve road safety, protecting both road users and pedestrians from dangerous driving. If you're a designated driver, you shouldn't consume any alcohol before getting behind the wheel."
"Alcohol can distort your perception and awareness, and though you might think you're under the limit to drive, you could be incorrect," Jones added. "Driving while under the influence of alcohol can put both yourself and other road users at risk."
Political response to road safety crisis
A Labour source highlighted the government's track record on road safety, stating: "At the end of the last Labour government, the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads was at a record low, but numbers have remained stubbornly high under successive Conservative governments."
The source added: "In no other circumstance would we accept 1,600 people dying, with thousands more seriously injured, costing the NHS more than £2 billion per year." Ministers hope the tougher rules will make people think twice about drinking and driving as existing road safety measures appear insufficient.
Sources used: "PA Media", "Chronicle Live", "Birmingham Live" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
