They have warned of the unintended consequences for rural pubs and community venues.
BBPA
The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) said the sector remains committed to responsible drinking but cautioned against measures that could further impact already fragile businesses.
A BBPA spokesperson told The Morning Advertiser (The MA): “The sector is committed to actively promoting responsible drinking through its investment in no and low beer and support of drink-drive campaigns, and recent Government statistics show a decline in alcohol-related driving accidents.
“The pub sector continues to face huge challenges, so any additional policy measures that further impact trade will be of real concern to licensees, especially those in rural areas.
“Any new rules must be proportionate and evidence-based and we would urge Government to consider how to mitigate the significant impact further restrictions would have for pubs, jobs, and community hubs in rural areas, which may already suffer from little to no public transport.
“We would also urge the Government to review how public transport, especially in rural areas, can better support the high street and local tourism, ultimately strengthening local communities and economies.”
Department for Transport (DfT) data shows that in 2023 there were an estimated 260 fatalities in collisions involving at least one driver over the drink-drive limit, a 14% decline on 2022. Around 1,860 people were killed or seriously injured, down 3%, while total casualties fell 6% to approximately 6,310.
Since 2003, drink-drive accidents are down 65% and total casualties have fallen 67%, according to DfT figures.
NTIA
Night-time economy leaders have also called for a joined-up policy response.
Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), said a lower limit would “almost certainly have a material impact on pubs, particularly those that are community-based, suburban or rural, where car use is integral to how people socialise”.
“For many pubs, especially outside major cities, even one or two drinks can already feel like a risk for customers; lowering the limit further could accelerate a shift towards people drinking less frequently, staying at home, or choosing venues closer to home,” he said.
Kill added that the impact would not be evenly felt, with city-centre venues better insulated due to stronger transport links, while destination and late-night venues could see reduced dwell time and secondary spend.
While acknowledging road safety as the stated aim, he warned the proposal would be viewed by the trade as part of a wider tightening of alcohol-related policy.
The concern isn’t the principle of safety, but whether policymakers fully appreciate the knock-on effects for social infrastructure, particularly pubs that act as community hubs.
NTIA's Michael Kill
UK Hospitality
Kate Nicholls, chair of UKHospitality, said: “One victim of drink driving is one too many and we expect all pub-goers to ensure they are responsibly abiding by the legal limits currently in place.
“With the Government consulting on the current drink drive limits, it’s crucial that any changes are evidence-led and are focused on pulling the right levers to reduce incidents.
“With many pubs operating in rural and isolated areas, we recognise the concern many pubs will have on this issue and will be consulting with members to inform our response to the consultation.”
The consultation comes as operators last month told The MA that a lower limit is more likely to accelerate existing moderation trends than fundamentally reshape behaviour, with stronger food offers and credible no and low ranges already embedded across much of the market.
Trade bodies stressed that if the Government proceeds with changes, they should be accompanied by investment in transport infrastructure and clear public communication to avoid unintended economic impacts on rural and suburban venues.
