Spain lowers blood alcohol limits for drivers to near zero, aiming to reduce road fatalities and improve safety.
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The Spanish government and DGT are planning to lower blood alcohol limits for drivers, making it the first time all driver categories—general, novice, and professional—will share a single limit of 0.2 grams per liter of blood. This represents a 33% reduction for novices and professionals (from 0.3 g/L) and a 60% reduction for general drivers (from 0.5 g/L). These new limits are seen as a step toward eliminating drunk driving, though the DGT states that with this limit, no alcohol should be consumed while driving. This measure aligns Spain more closely with countries like Norway and Hungary than those like France or Germany. The change is supported by the European Commission’s recommendation to reduce road fatalities and victim associations. Experts note that even low levels of alcohol impair reaction time and judgment, justifying stricter laws. While a zero-tolerance policy is desired, technical limitations in current breathalyzers prevent its immediate implementation. Current penalties for drunk driving are fines and license point deductions, with offenses above 0.6 g/L leading to criminal charges. Internationally, some countries have implemented zero tolerance, but even those still record significant alcohol-related accidents. In Romania, a new law allows for up to ten years without a driver’s license for those found driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, with judicial discretion over sentencing.
