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Plans to tighten Spain’s drink driving rules have been thrown out after a vote in Congress, meaning the current legal alcohol limit will stay in place for now.

 

The proposal would have reduced the maximum level from 0.5 grams per litre of blood to 0.2, bringing Spain closer to a near zero tolerance approach. Supporters argued it would send a clear message on road safety, especially at a time when the authorities are trying to cut accident rates.

 

However, the measure failed to get through the Interior Committee, with several parties voting against it and ultimately blocking the change.

 

Those opposed to the proposal said simply lowering the limit wouldn’t solve the problem on its own. Popular Party spokesperson Bella Verano explained that road safety needs a broader approach, including more police checks, better prevention campaigns and stronger education around drink driving.

 

There was also pushback from some unexpected quarters. A representative from ERC said their party actually believes the safest level for drivers is 0.0, but argued that this particular law wouldn’t make a real difference. According to their view, most serious accidents involving alcohol already involve drivers far exceeding the current limit, sometimes by three or four times.

 

The proposal had been gaining momentum over the past year. Back in 2025, Congress agreed to begin processing the draft law, which also included plans to ban people from sharing the locations of police checkpoints on social media.

 

Road safety organisations had urged politicians to back the changes, arguing that lowering the limit could help reduce accidents and save lives. Despite that pressure, the final vote went the other way, leaving Spain’s existing rules unchanged.

 

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Image: Mossos d'Esquadra