Labour's new drink-driving laws receive public backing as Britons support tougher rules and lower limits

Hemma Visavadia
Thu, 23 Apr 2026 12:29:59 +0000

Britons have backed calls for tougher drink-driving laws ahead of a major driving law review in the UK, which is set to conclude in a few weeks.

A new poll found strong backing for lowering the legal alcohol limit in England and Wales, with many also calling for stricter enforcement.

Overall, 87 per cent of Britons surveyed said harsher penalties are needed to stop people driving under the influence.

Meanwhile, 78 per cent believed the current limit of 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood should be reduced, while only 12 per cent think it should stay as it is.

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Half of the respondents went even further, supporting calls for the limit to be cut to 20mg or even zero, while 28 per cent said England and Wales should match Scotland's lower limit of 50mg.

The findings come as the Government prepares to move forward with the Road Safety Strategy, with the consultation due to close on May 11.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: "Every life lost on our roads is a tragedy that devastates families and communities. For too long, progress on road safety has stalled. This strategy marks a turning point."

The report also found strong support for giving police more immediate powers to tackle the offence, with three-quarters of surveyed individuals agreeing that officers should be able to suspend a driver's licence at the roadside if they fail a breath test or refuse to provide a sample.

Hunter Abbott, managing director of breathalyser firm AlcoSense, said the results show a clear shift in public opinion.

"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."

Around two-thirds of those questioned said new or commercial drivers should face a limit of 20mg or zero.

A majority of respondents, 58 per cent, detailed how the best way to tackle drink-driving was to combine stricter limits with stronger enforcement.

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"There is a clear recognition that changing the law on its own is not enough," Mr Abbott said. "People want to see enforcement alongside it, so that the rules have real impact.

He warned that motorists who pose a risk should not be allowed to continue driving "while legal proceedings are ongoing".

Official figures underline the scale of the problem, with Government data finding that 260 people were killed in drink-drive accidents in 2023, while a further 6,310 people were injured in crashes involving drivers over the legal limit.

Despite concerns from the hospitality sector, the survey suggested most people would not change their social habits if the limit were lowered.

More than a third of Britons who visit pubs or restaurants said their behaviour would stay the same, with only 13 per cent stating they would be likely to go out less often.

Mr Abbott said this should reassure businesses while strengthening the case for reform, noting that people expect "meaningful" action.

He also stated that there is strong backing for measures that will improve road safety and prevent avoidable deaths and injuries.

Drivers caught drink-driving can face three months’ imprisonment, as well as be issued a £2,500 fine and given a possible driving ban.