Many European countries already have a 50mg limit

Home Minister Mike Torode is to ask the States in April to support a reduction in the legal limit from 80mg to 50mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood.

Deputy Torode says the move will help to make the island's roads safer.

Over the Christmas period 19 people were arrested and 14 charged, compared with 14 arrests and seven charged over the same period the previous year.

Deputy Torode said: "There will be an approach to the States some time in the next six months to consider bringing the blood-alcohol limit down to that which is imposed in most European countries.