A new survey of 2,000 UK adults shows nearly eight in ten respondents (78%) said the current legal alcohol limit should be lowered from 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. Just 12% said it should remain unchanged.

87% believe stricter penalties are needed to deter people from driving under the influence.

The poll by personal breathalyser firm AlcoSense is an early indication of public sentiment, ahead of the Government’s Road Safety Strategy consultation deadline of 11 May.

Nearly eight in ten respondents (78%) said the current legal alcohol limit should be lowered from 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. Just 12% said it should remain unchanged.

Half of those surveyed (50%) said the limit should be slashed to 20mg or zero. A further 28% said it should be brought into line with Scotland’s 50mg limit.

There is also a clear consensus for more immediate enforcement powers. Three quarters of respondents said police should be able to suspend a driver’s licence at the roadside if they test over the limit or refuse to provide a sample.

AlcoSense managing director Hunter Abbott said the findings, which included questions similar to those in the Government consultation, indicated a shift in public attitudes.

“People are saying the current system is not tough enough,” he said. “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.

“England and Wales currently have the highest drink-drive limit in Europe. Our research suggests that many people no longer see that as acceptable.”

The call for stricter limits is even greater for higher-risk groups. Around two-thirds of respondents said commercial and novice drivers should be subject to a 20mg or zero limit.

The study suggests the public sees legal limits and police action as equally important. A majority (58%) said the most effective way to tackle drink driving would be to combine a lower limit with more robust enforcement, rather than relying on either approach alone.

“There is a clear recognition that changing the law on its own is not enough,” said Abbott, who is also a member of PACTS.

“People want to see enforcement alongside it, so that the rules have real impact.

“Motorists who pose a risk should not be allowed to continue driving while legal proceedings are ongoing,”

The latest data published by the Department for Transport show there were 260 fatalities in drink-drive accidents in 2023, with a total of 6,310 people injured in incidents involving drivers over the legal limit.

The survey findings also indicate that more stringent drink-drive laws will have limited impact on social behaviour. More than a third of those who visit pubs and restaurants said their habits would not change if the limit was reduced, while only a small minority (13%) said they would be likely to visit licensed premises less often.

Abbott added: “With the consultation closing soon, this indicates that the public expects meaningful Government action to improve road safety and prevent avoidable deaths and injuries.”

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23 April 2026

Notes:

PACTS is the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety

AlcoSense interviewed 2,000 nationally representative UK adults via OnePoll between 24-27 March 2026. OnePoll adheres to the MRS Code of Conduct.

AlcoSense Triumphs in Parkers' 2025 Breathalyser Test

AlcoSense has once again proven its commitment to road safety and product excellence, securing top honours in Parkers' prestigious 2025 breathalyser test. With the UK poised to lower its drink-drive limit next year from 35 to 22 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath (0.35 to 0.22 mg/L), accurate and reliable breathalysers are more essential than ever.

In a comprehensive review of the best breathalysers available in the UK, Parkers named the AlcoSense Pro Fuel Cell Breathalyser as its Editor’s Pick, praising its exceptional accuracy, advanced features, and user-friendly design. The Pro model impressed testers with its BlowCoach technology, temperature sensor, and country-specific configuration, making it the ideal tool for ensuring safe driving the morning after.

Also recognised were the AlcoSense Lite 2 and AlcoSense Excel, which earned accolades for their compact design, affordability, and professional-grade fuel cell sensors. These models offer peace of mind for casual and frequent users alike, reinforcing AlcoSense’s reputation for quality across its range.

Hunter Abbott, Managing Director of AlcoSense, commented:
"We’re proud to see our products recognised by Parkers. With the upcoming changes to UK drink-drive laws, it’s more important than ever for drivers to have access to accurate, easy-to-use breathalysers. Our mission is to help people make informed decisions and stay safe on the roads."

As the UK prepares for stricter limits, AlcoSense continues to lead the way in personal breathalyser technology—offering drivers the tools they need to stay safe, legal, and responsible.

Best-in-Test: AlcoSense breathalysers—trusted by experts, chosen by drivers.

Link to article: https://www.parkers.co.uk/car-advice/lifestyle-lei...

UK motorists heading to Europe this summer are being urged to brush up on local motoring laws – or risk steep fines and even jail time.

With Spain and France topping the destination list for British tourists, drivers may be caught out by far tougher legal limits and stricter enforcement.

Spain is set to reduce its drink drive limit this year to just 20µg of alcohol per 100ml of blood (0.20‰ BAC / 0.10 mg/L in Breath) – one quarter of the English and Welsh limit of 80µg (0.35 mg/L in Breath) – meaning even a single drink could tip drivers over the line. The change will bring Spain in line with countries like Sweden, Poland and Norway.

“In Spain, if you’re over the limit, you could be fined €1,000 or more,” says Hunter Abbott, Managing Director of personal breathalyser firm AlcoSense. “The safest approach is to avoid alcohol entirely before driving – or if in any doubt, self-test to check you're safe to drive, especially the morning after drinking.”

The warning comes as a Freedom of Information Request by AlcoSense reveals that Spanish authorities have submitted more than 37,000 requests to the UK’s DVLA since March 2023 to access British driver details – including 7,000 already this year. The requests are part of a bilateral agreement allowing Spain to pursue UK motorists for offences like speeding, red light violations and drink driving - even once they’ve returned home.

Meanwhile, French authorities have continued to send tens of thousands of motoring fines to UK homes, despite no formal post-Brexit data-sharing agreement. A French government report has revealed that 62,780 fines were issued to UK-registered vehicles in 2023, up from 59,836 the previous year – even though the UK is no longer listed as a data-sharing ‘partner’.

How this is happening remains unclear, but enforcement is ramping up. France has dramatically stepped-up roadside testing after a rise in fatal accidents linked to alcohol or drugs. French police are 20 times more likely to breathalyse drivers than their UK counterparts. They test 109 drivers per 1,000 people, compared to just 5 per 1,000 in Britain. In Spain the figure is 96 per 1,000.

The drink drive limit in England and Wales is higher than all other countries in Europe.

France, Germany, Italy and Portugal all impose a limit of 0.50‰ and novice drivers often face even stricter thresholds.

“The penalties abroad can be severe. In France you could face a €4,500 fine and up to two years in prison,” warns Abbott.

“Many drivers don’t realise that alcohol can stay in the system for hours after drinking – four large glasses of wine can take up to 14 hours to fully clear.”

Abbott recommends motorists take a twin-pack of certified single-use breathalysers when heading across the Channel to remove uncertainty. In France, it’s still advised (though no longer legally required) to carry a certified breathalyser in your vehicle.

“Whether you’re hiring a car abroad or driving your own, you’re subject to the local laws,” he adds.

“Random breath testing is carried out in all EU countries except Germany - whereas in the UK you can only be tested if you’ve committed a traffic offence, been involved in an accident or Police have reason to suspect you’ve been drinking.

“This makes it far more likely that you’ll be breathalysed abroad”.

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11 August 2025