By Jeremy Sirrell, 7th January 2026
Ministers are currently consulting on a proposal to lower the limit for driving with excess alcohol from 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath to only 22 micrograms. The claim made for this proposal is that it will save thousands of lives over the coming decade. But is that true?
The limit of 35 micrograms has been in place since 1967 and was arrived at after significant research on impairment levels in relation to alcohol consumed. It has been rigorously enforced ever since, with thousands of drivers being prosecuted for offences of drink driving.
It is argued that the proposals, which will cut the limit to only 22 micrograms, are appropriate because they will bring us into line with other countries, including Scotland and a wide majority of European countries such as France and Germany.
However, if the argument is based on the claim that England and Wales should not be an outlier and should bring itself into line with the majority of European countries, that argument should also apply to sentencing.
At present in the UK, any case of drink driving, even with the smallest possible breach of the limit, will result in an absolute minimum of one year’s disqualification in addition to the possibility of a fine or imprisonment.
In France, by contrast, an offence of driving with excess alcohol between 22 and 35 micrograms would generally result in a penalty of about £100 and a six-point endorsement on your driving licence, together with a possible suspension for more serious cases.
In other words, although the French may have a lower drink-drive limit, they also have much lower punishments. One suspects that those campaigning to reduce the drink-drive limit in the UK are either ignorant of similar laws in other nations, who have lower limits, or do not care about this latter fact.
The reason given for this proposal is, of course, road safety and the reduction of road deaths. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander claimed, “the measures we are announcing today will save thousands of lives over the coming decades.”
This is a bold claim, but what is it based upon? It is certainly not based on the facts. Scotland reduced its drink-drive limit to 22 micrograms in 2014, but there was no reduction in road accidents. It is very difficult, therefore, to see why the position should be any different in England and Wales.
The fact of the matter is that Britain enjoys a remarkable road safety record, being one of (if not the safest) countries to drive in per mile in the entire world, and safer than almost any European country.
If this proposal is really based on a claim of increasing road safety, perhaps those making that claim could explain why countries (such as France) which have a lower drink-drive limit also have a poorer record of road safety.
It is clear that reducing the drink-drive limit is no magic bullet for reducing road deaths. If there is to be such a reduction, it should be based on evidence and facts, not cosy assumptions.
