If You Plan On Driving In Malta When You Go Out You Can Only Have Half A Shot, Updated Law States

If you’re going out with your friends and you plan on driving home, you can forget having any sort of alcoholic beverage before getting into your car. Not that you should want to, but we’re just being realistic here. The drink driving limit is about to be lowered by 75% for motorcyclists and new drivers, whilst all other drivers will face a 50% decrease.

The limit for most drivers will be brought down to 0.5g/l

A new National Alcohol Policy has just been launched that focuses on the proper regulation of consumption and supply of alcoholic beverages. The previous limit stood at 0.8 grams of alcohol per litre of blood, which is basically one whole unit of alcohol. For comparison, that’s roughly a half pint. So when you consider the new limit will be 0.5g/l, any person considering driving home after a meal has to stay clear of anything above half a glass of wine.

However for the following motorists, the limit will be slashed to 0.2g/l:

• motorcyclists
• taxi drivers
• drivers of vehicles that weigh over 3.5 tonnes
• vehicles that can carry a minimum of eight passengers
• vehicles carrying dangerous goods
• drivers who have been driving for less than two years

So if half a shot is considered to be roughly 0.5g/l, the limit for the above motorists is basically a single sip of alcohol.

The policy also calls for the limiting of underage consumption

Stronger penalties will be put in place for any vendors who serve alcoholic beverages to individuals under the age of 17. Those found guilty of serving alcohol to said individuals will also be considered responsible for any complications that arise out of underage consumption.

Further action in line with the policy includes the proper assessment, education and treatment for anyone caught abusing of alcohol or breaking any laws related to the consumption of alcohol, and increased penalties for drink-driving offenders.

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