Drink Driving Limits UK & Ireland

Strict alcohol limits and drink drive penalties exist to ensure safe driving on the roads. It’s been estimated that between 2010 and 2015 there were 36,900 reported drink drive accidents and 1410 reported deaths caused by drink driving. When alcohol is consumed many functions that are depended on in order to drive safely are affected. This includes messages taking much longer to reach the brain, processing information becomes more difficult and reactions times are slower.

As can be seen in the table below, the drink drive limits across England, Wales and Northern Ireland are the same whereas Scotland has a lower limit. In December 2014 the limit was reduced in order to bring Scotland in line with most other European countries. The drink drive limit in the Republic of Ireland is the same as Scotland.

*Value is volume of Alcohol per 100ml of Sample

The limits above apply to the general public. In Ireland lower limits have been set for professional drivers:

*Value is volume of Alcohol per 100ml of Sample

Ireland introduced Ireland’s Road Traffic Act 2010. Scotland and the rest of the UK currently don’t have regulations in place so the drink drive limits are the same regardless of occupation.

About Randox Testing Services

Driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or any substance is extremely dangerous and places drivers and other road users at serious risk.

At Randox Testing Services we work with a range of companies to help implement effective workplace drug and alcohol testing policies. If your employees drive it is very important that they are educated on the different alcohol limits that apply across each country as well as the different limits that apply to professional drivers. For more information on training and education courses please contact testingservices@randox.com.