The government has unveiled a major new road safety strategy, with a significant reduction in the legal drink-drive limit for England and Wales at its core. The planned change would see the current limit of 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath lowered to 22 micrograms, finally aligning the law with Scotland.
Aiming for a Dramatic Reduction in Road Casualties
This pivotal policy shift forms part of a broader blueprint designed to drastically improve safety on Britain's roads. The overarching goal is to achieve a 65% reduction in the number of people killed or seriously injured on roads by the year 2035. An even more ambitious target has been set for protecting young people, with the strategy aiming for a 70% reduction in casualties among children under the age of 16.
Beyond the Limit: A Package of New Measures
The proposed changes extend far beyond simply altering the alcohol threshold. Ministers are considering a suite of additional measures to tackle dangerous driving. For some convicted drink-drivers, mandatory alcohol interlock devices (alcolocks) could be fitted to their vehicles, preventing the engine from starting if they fail a breath test.
Police may also be granted new powers to suspend driving licences immediately from the roadside for those suspected of drink or drug-driving, rather than waiting for a court appearance. This move is intended to swiftly remove high-risk drivers from circulation.
The strategy also addresses other areas of concern:
- Mandatory eyesight tests for drivers when they reach the age of 70.
- Introducing a minimum learning period for newly qualified drivers.
- A renewed crackdown on uninsured drivers using enhanced technology.
Aligning with Europe and Looking Forward
The planned reduction would bring England and Wales into line not only with Scotland, which adopted the lower limit in 2014, but also with most of Europe. The UK's current limit is among the highest on the continent. The announcement, made on Wednesday 7th January 2026, signals the government's intent to push forward with what it describes as a "life-saving" overhaul of road safety policy. If implemented, the new drink-drive limit will represent the most significant change to drink-driving laws in England and Wales for a generation.
