A new Whitehall report due to be published is calling for the drink-drive limit to be halved and random breath testing to be introduced in an effort to tackle alcohol-related road accidents.
The report, released later today, calls for drastic changes. The study, commissioned by the former government, is expected to propose changes to lower the drink-drive limit from 80mg of alcohol per 100ml to 50mg - as it is with most of Europe.
It suggests that more than 150 lives a year could be saved by cutting the current limit.Combined with the current mandatory 12-month ban, it would give the UK one of the toughest regimes in Europe.
It is thought Sir Peter North, who led the research, will recommend that novice drivers have an alcohol limit of just 20mg and drivers be refused the right to demand a second breathalyser test at a police station according to reports from the BBC.
The number of drink-drive related fatalities has been significantly reduced in the last 30 years due to government campaigns and police crackdowns.
In 1979 1,640 people were killed in accidents caused by alcohol, but in 2007 the figure had dropped to 410.
The police argue that any amount of alcohol can affect a person's ability to drive. So they have a simple solution to the "how much can I drink?" question.
Speaking to the BBC’s website Pc Jon Lansley, a traffic officer with Hampshire Police, suggests the answer is simply do not drink anything and drive.
Pc Lansley said: "Make sure you have a designated driver - whether that be a friend or a taxi to get you home.
"The last thing I want is to have myself or a colleague pull you over. You'll be arrested, you're likely to go to court, it will change your life.
"You're going to lose your licence for 12 months, at a minimum. You're looking at loss of job, possible loss of family as a result of what's happened."
The review has also looked at how to address the problem of driving under the influence of drugs.
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