British drivers are at risk of breaking a key 2026 driving rule "without realising". Labour looks set to introduce stricter drink drive rules, with overall limits likely to be cut by the end of the year.
The changes will see alcohol driving limits cut from 35µg to 22µg per 100ml of breath in England and Wales, with the blood limit sliced from 80mg to 50mg per 100ml. The restrictions are likely to mean drivers are limited to just one pint, but risk crossing the threshold on even less.
It is predicted that lowering the drink-drive limit could reduce fatalities by between 25 and 100 people each year.
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The Department for Transport (DfT) has opened a consultation over the changes, with new rules likely to be introduced soon after. However, speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, Rhydian Jones, motor expert at Confused.com stressed the new rule could catch drivers unawares.
Mr Jones said that a lower drink drive limit could see many people over the limit "without realising"
He said: "Our research shows UK drivers feel comfortable driving after 2 drinks. Yet, this new proposal aims to help improve road safety by reducing the limit to 22 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath in England and Wales. This will add another layer of protection to drivers and pedestrians alike.”
The new restrictions will bring England and Wales in line with tougher rules already in place in Scotland. The new rules are ste to be the first change in the UK's drink drive rules for almost 60 years, with the last tweak coming back in 1967.
According to a poll of 2,000 drivers conducted by Confused.com, only 26% of individuals are aware of new drink-drive limit rules in England and Wales. This means almost three-quarters of motorists polled did not realise that new updates were being considered.
Writing in the DfT’s consultation report, Labour MP Lilian Greenwood stressed that “unsafe and dangerous behaviour has no place on our roads”.
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Lillian added: “In 2024, there were 1,602 deaths on our roads – an average of around 30 a week, or 4 to 5 per day. There were also 27,865 serious injuries on our roads. Although the UK has some of the safest roads in the world, these figures remain far too high, and this government does not accept that these deaths and serious injuries are inevitable.
“With the number of UK road deaths having plateaued since 2010, it’s clear that strong, decisive action is long overdue.”
