The Spanish government, led by the PSOE party and the Directorate General of Traffic (DGT), is preparing a new proposal to lower the legal blood alcohol limit for drivers from 0.5 grams per litre to 0.2 grams per litre. This move follows a similar attempt earlier this year that was rejected by parliament in March.
Changes on the Road If the Law Passes
Under the current limit of 0.5 g/l blood alcohol, many adult drivers can have one drink—such as a small beer—and still remain within the law. However, reducing the limit to 0.2 g/l would remove that margin. Pere Navarro, the director of the DGT, explained that an average adult male could test positive after drinking just one small beer (about one-third of a litre).
The new rules would also introduce penalties for drivers with alcohol levels between 0.1 and 0.25 mg per litre in their breath, which is not currently punished. This range would face a fine of approximately 200 euros and a loss of 2 driving licence points. For comparison, higher alcohol levels currently incur fines of 500 euros and a 4-point deduction.
Why Spain Is Considering Stricter Limits
The DGT supports this change by citing examples from Sweden and Norway, where the 0.2 g/l limit has been in effect since 1990. In those countries, lowering the alcohol limit coincided with a 12% drop in accidents involving injuries, an 8% reduction in fatal crashes, and a 16% decrease in drunk-driving cases. Traffic deaths per million inhabitants were 22 in those countries last year, compared to 36 in Spain.
Alcohol remains a major issue on Spanish roads. According to the DGT, alcohol was a factor in 28% of fatal accidents registered in 2024. The National Institute of Toxicology and Forensic Sciences reports that more than one-third of drivers who died in accidents tested positive for alcohol.
Current Legal Limits and Political Challenges
Until the new proposal is voted on and approved, the legal blood alcohol limits stay unchanged at 0.5 g/l for general drivers and 0.3 g/l for novice and professional drivers. Current penalties are 500 euros and 4 points for a positive result up to 0.5 mg/l, and 1,000 euros and 6 points for higher amounts.
The earlier attempt to lower the limit was rejected mainly due to opposition from several parties, including PP, Vox, UPN, and ERC. Reports mention that ERC’s support was tied to demands about control over driving licence examiners. ERC’s deputy, Inés Granollers, called for zero tolerance rather than the 0.2 limit proposed.
The PSOE has not confirmed exactly when it will reintroduce the proposal, but plans to try again after the summer.
Source: motor.es