AlcoSense gives input to Government Road Safety Strategy Consultation

AlcoSense has submitted a detailed response to the Government’s consultation on a new Road Safety Strategy, calling for tougher action to reduce drink-drive deaths and injuries in England and Wales.

The submission argues that England and Wales are now out of step with the rest of Europe in retaining the current drink-drive limit of 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood - the highest legal limit anywhere in Europe.

A central recommendation is that the legal alcohol limit should be reduced. AlcoSense argues that the current limit can create a misleading impression that driving below 80mg is “safe”, despite extensive evidence showing impairment begins well before that level.

The response highlights international research showing that crash risk rises significantly even at relatively low blood alcohol concentrations. It also notes that Scotland reduced its limit to 50mg in 2014, bringing it into line with most European countries.

AlcoSense believes lowering the limit would:

• send a clearer public safety message
• encourage more people to avoid alcohol entirely when driving
• help shift social attitudes around drink driving
• reduce deaths and serious injuries over time

The response also calls for stronger enforcement measures.

These include:

• introducing random breath testing powers for police
• allowing roadside licence suspension for drivers who fail or refuse a breath test
• tougher penalties for serious drink and drug driving offences
• wider use of alcohol interlock devices (“alcolocks”) as part of rehabilitation programmes

The submission argues that deterrence depends not only on legal limits, but also on the perceived likelihood of being caught.

AlcoSense’s response references new polling commissioned by the company which suggests strong public backing for reform.

The survey of 2,000 UK adults found:

• only 12% believe the current 80mg limit should remain unchanged
• 78% support some form of reduction
• 75% support roadside licence suspensions for motorists over the limit
• 70% support random breath testing
• 73% support vehicle seizure powers for drink and drug driving offences

The findings suggest many people now view drink driving primarily as a public safety issue rather than simply a motoring offence.

The response notes that although drink-drive deaths are far lower than in previous decades, progress has slowed in recent years.

Department for Transport figures show there were 260 fatalities in drink-drive collisions in 2023, alongside more than 6,000 injuries.

AlcoSense argues that the current approach may have reached the limits of its effectiveness and that a combination of lower limits, visible enforcement and public education is now required to achieve further reductions in casualties.

A PDF copy of AlcoSense’s full response to the Government consultation can be downloaded here: AlcoSense Laboratories - Drink Drive limit Consultation response.pdf

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.”

-ends-

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.

More than 2,700 drink-driving offences were recorded in Northern Ireland in the past year, prompting fresh warnings to motorists ahead of St Patrick’s Day celebrations.

Road safety campaigners say drivers should be particularly wary of the “morning after” effect, when alcohol from the night before can still leave them over the legal limit.

Official figures show there were 2,763 drink-driving offences recorded in Northern Ireland in the 12 months to November, highlighting that alcohol remains a significant factor in road safety incidents.

During the PSNI’s recent Christmas drink-drive enforcement campaign, officers carried out around 5,200 roadside breath tests, with more than 7% of motorists either failing the test or refusing to provide a sample.

In total, 288 people were arrested - with Belfast City once again recording the highest number of drink-drive arrests (56).

“Many people assume that if they’ve had a good night’s sleep they will automatically be safe to drive the next morning, but that’s simply not the case,” said Hunter Abbott, Managing Director of breathalyser firm AlcoSense.

“Alcohol is processed slowly by the body. Even if you feel fine the next day, you could still be over the legal limit and impaired.”

Research shows that at the legal drink-drive limit in Northern Ireland, a driver is around 13 times more likely to be involved in a fatal collision than when completely sober.

AlcoSense is urging people celebrating St Patrick’s Day to plan ahead. Options include arranging a lift home, taking a taxi or public transport, or choosing a designated driver who will not drink.

“If you’re unsure whether you’re safe to drive the next morning, the only way to know for certain is to use a personal breathalyser,” added Abbott.

“St Patrick’s Day should be about celebrating with friends and family. No one wants those celebrations to end in tragedy.”

Drivers caught over the limit in Northern Ireland can face up to six months in prison, a fine of up to £5,000 and a driving ban of at least 12 months.

If you’re planning on driving, the safest alcohol driving limit is zero. That’s because even a small amount of alcohol can slow your reaction time and inhibit judgment – making you more likely to be involved in an accident.