In a significant move to improve road safety, the Spanish government is considering lowering the maximum blood alcohol limit for drivers. If the proposal goes through, consuming just one beer could result in a positive breathalyser test.
The Spanish government is considering lowering the maximum blood alcohol limit for drivers from 0.5 grams per litre of blood to 0.2 grams. This change would place Spain among the most restrictive countries in Europe regarding drink-driving laws, alongside Estonia, Norway, Poland, and Sweden, which already have similar limits.
One drink could lead to a positive test
If the proposal goes through, consuming just one beer could result in a positive breathalyser test. For example, a man who drinks a 33cl beer could register between 0.21 and 0.28 grams of alcohol per litre of blood—potentially enough to break the new limit. Women would be even more affected, with higher blood alcohol levels after consuming the same amount.
This change would make Spain stricter than neighbouring countries like France, Germany, and Portugal, which currently allow up to 0.5 grams of alcohol per litre of blood.
Alcohol effects and road safety
The Spanish Directorate General of Traffic (DGT) has long emphasised that the safest blood alcohol level for drivers is 0.0%, even when the legal limit allows for some consumption. Alcohol is a depressant that affects the central nervous system, impairing motor skills, reaction times, and decision-making abilities. Even with small amounts of alcohol, drivers’ risk of causing an accident increases.
The DGT also highlights that alcohol’s effects on the body depend on various factors, such as whether a person has eaten, the speed of consumption, and individual tolerance levels. Women generally absorb alcohol faster, leading to higher blood alcohol levels than men when consuming the same quantity.
Rising concerns over road safety
The decision to lower the legal limit comes after alarming statistics from a recent DGT campaign, which found that an average of 543 drivers per day were caught driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Between January and September of 2024, 801 people died in traffic accidents, marking a 2% increase in road fatalities compared to the same period in 2023.
Also read: DGT urges caution as traffic accidents surge in Andalucia