SCOTS drivers could soon find themselves over the limit if they have more than one pint of beer or a small glass of wine.
The Scottish Government plans to lower the limit from 80mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood to 50mg in 100ml of blood after three-quarters of those who responded to a consultation backed the change.
Drinkers will reach their safe drinking limit after one pint of standard strength beer (3.5%), one small 125ml glass of standard strength wine or one standard strength short measure of spirits under the new law.
However, it is hoped the new level will put drivers off having any alcohol before driving.
Talks will be held with the police and the UK Government to bring in the change, with work to be done on informing those entering Scotland from England of the move.
These will take place over the next few months, and then Holyrood will be asked to approve regulations to change the limit.
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: "On average, 30 families every year have to cope with the loss of a loved one and around 900 people are treated for injuries caused by someone who thought it was acceptable to drink alcohol and get behind the wheel and drive.
"Lowering the drink-drive limit will help make Scotland's roads safer and save lives."
The British Medical Association said drivers with an 80mg level were 10 times more likely to be in an accident than those who had no alcohol. It said those with a 50mg reading were twice as likely to be in a crash.
Lowering the limit to 50mg would bring Scotland in line with other countries such as Germany, France and Spain.
A total of 74% of those who responded to the Scottish Government consultation back a reduction, of which 87% agree with reducing it to 50mg.
Dave Caesar, clinical director of emergency medicine at NHS Lothian, is behind the switch. He said: "A lower drink-drive limit would prevent accidents and deaths on our roads and reduce the number of people who needlessly die each year."
Kathleen Braidwood, road safety officer for Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) in Scotland, said: "Far too many are killed on our roads by people who drink and drive.
"RoSPA is delighted to see a majority are in favour of the proposal to reduce the current drink-drive limit."
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