Overview
- The plan, reported but not yet legislated, would lower the limit to 20 mg/100 ml for new drivers and 50 mg/100 ml for others in England and Wales, aligning with Scotland and much of Europe.
- The wider proposals include penalty points for not wearing seatbelts, doubled fines for uninsured drivers, eye tests for over‑70s, alcolocks for repeat offenders, roadside drug saliva tests and potential licence suspensions pending court.
- Ministers are presenting the strategy with targets to cut road deaths and serious injuries by 65% by 2035, with a 70% reduction goal for under‑16s reported.
- Public response is divided, with an Independent readers’ poll showing 60% opposed to a zero‑alcohol limit and 40% in favour, and many calling for stronger year‑round enforcement and action on speeding and road conditions.
- Critics warn the changes could hit rural mobility and pubs already under strain, while supporters argue Scotland’s lower limit offers a workable model and a reasonable step for safety.