Fresh research has revealed that the overwhelming majority of motorists in England and Wales would support a reduction in the current drink-drive limit, with the findings published ahead of the Government’s Road Safety Strategy consultation deadline of 11 May 2026.
England and Wales currently operate one of the highest drink-drive limits in the world, set at 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, or 35 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath. Scotland reduced its own limit in 2014 to 50 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood, or 22 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath, bringing it in line with most of Europe.
What the survey found
The research, conducted by personal breathalyser manufacturer AlcoSense, surveyed 2,000 motorists across the UK. The results suggest a significant shift in public attitudes towards drink-driving law.
Some 87 percent of respondents said they believed stricter penalties are needed to deter drink-driving, whilst 78 percent said they would support lowering the current limit in England and Wales. Only 12 percent felt the existing rules should remain unchanged.
Exactly half of those surveyed said the limit should be reduced to 20 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood or lower, with some backing a zero-tolerance approach altogether. A further 28 percent said the limit should at least be brought down to match the Scottish level. For commercial drivers and newly qualified motorists, classified as high-risk road users, two-thirds of respondents favoured a limit of 20 milligrams or zero.
Notably, only 13 percent of those surveyed believed a lower limit would cause them to visit licensed premises less frequently, suggesting that concerns about the economic impact on the hospitality industry may be overstated.
A call for stronger enforcement powers
Beyond the question of where the limit should be set, the survey also revealed appetite for reform of enforcement powers. Three-quarters of respondents said they would support giving police the ability to suspend a driver’s licence at the roadside if a driver tests over the limit or refuses to provide a sample. More than half said that any reduction in the limit should be accompanied by tougher penalties for those who breach it.
Hunter Abbott, managing director of AlcoSense, said: “People are saying the current system is not tough enough. There is staunch support not only for lowering the alcohol limit, but also for giving police the powers they need to deal with offenders quickly and effectively. With the consultation closing soon, this is a clear signal that the public expects meaningful Government action to improve road safety and prevent avoidable deaths and injuries.”
The case for reform
England and Wales have not changed the drink-drive limit since it was first introduced in 1967. In the intervening decades, most comparable countries have moved to lower limits, and the evidence from Scotland suggests that a reduction does not significantly affect social behaviour or harm the hospitality sector.
The Government’s current Road Safety Strategy consultation, which closes on 11 May 2026, includes consideration of drink-drive limits alongside other measures such as alcohol interlock technology for repeat offenders. The survey results add further weight to the argument that reform in this area commands broad public support.
What a change in the limit could mean for drivers
If the limit in England and Wales were reduced, a significant number of drivers who currently believe themselves to be safely within the legal threshold could find themselves committing an offence. Even at the current limit, the margin between a single drink and a criminal conviction is narrower than many people appreciate, and individual responses to alcohol vary considerably.
A drink-driving conviction carries a mandatory disqualification of at least 12 months, a criminal record, a fine, and potential imprisonment in more serious cases. The consequences for employment, insurance, and daily life can be long-lasting and severe.
About Carl Millar
Carl Millar is a highly respected and experienced drink driving solicitor who is the principal of Millars Solicitors.
Carl has been a specialist in road traffic law for many years and represents clients from all walks of life and all over the Country. He is well known for the dogged defending of his clients and robust cross examination of police officers and exert witnesses.
With a wealth of expertise in motoring law Carl is well placed to provide advice over the phone and deal with all road traffic matters in a calm and professional way.
Getting in contact with Carl and Millars Solicitors is really easy. You can call him FREE on 0800 999 5535, or click here to send a confidential message.
