A recent poll has revealed overwhelming public support for stricter drink-driving laws in England and Wales, with 78% of respondents favouring a reduction in the legal alcohol limit. The survey, conducted amid Labour's new legislative push, found that only 12% believe the current limit should remain unchanged.
Strong Public Demand for Tougher Rules
According to the poll, 87% of people surveyed agreed that harsher penalties are necessary to deter drink-driving. The current limit of 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood is now widely seen as too lenient. Half of those polled supported reducing the limit to 20mg or even zero, while 28% backed matching Scotland's lower limit of 50mg.
Political and Expert Reactions
Labour's 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.'
Hunter Abbott, managing director of breathalyser firm AlcoSense, noted: 'The results show a clear shift in public opinion. People are saying the current system is not tough enough. 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.'
Mr Abbott added: 'There is a clear recognition that changing the law on its own is not enough. 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 Statistics Highlight the Problem
Government data from Labour shows there were 47,284 convictions for driving under the influence of drink or drugs in all courts in the year ending 2023. In 2022, the most recent year with available data, 300 people were killed in drink-drive collisions.
