Zero limit for driving clashes with police capacity
A total ban on alcohol and drugs behind the wheel sounds clear, but requires more intensive checks and greater capacity.
The cabinet announced a zero-tolerance policy on alcohol and drugs in traffic in the coalition agreement. At the same time, the police warn that these checks cannot be automated and require manpower.
The debate over a zero limit is about more than whether drivers may still drive after one drink. The 2026-2030 coalition agreement refers to a zero-tolerance policy on alcohol and drug use in traffic, alongside stricter enforcement, heavier penalties, an alcohol interlock and a tightened points-based driving licence.
The current rules use threshold levels. For experienced drivers, the alcohol limit is 0.5 per mille; for novice drivers, it is 0.2 per mille. For drugs, statutory limits apply to each substance. A zero limit already applies to combinations of drugs, or drugs and alcohol.
The difference between alcohol and drugs is also practical. An alcohol check can be carried out quickly using a breath analysis. A positive drug test is generally followed by blood testing by the Netherlands Forensic Institute. The police have previously told the Lower House (Tweede Kamer) that drug tests are more labour-intensive and can displace other demands on capacity.
That problem is not theoretical. The National Road Safety Action Plan states that roadside stops will remain necessary because alcohol and drug use cannot be established using ordinary traffic cameras. The same plan states that in 2022, 2.6 per cent of motorists were driving under the influence of alcohol on weekend nights. That was almost twice the lowest percentage measured in 2017.
Local checks show what implementation looks like. In August, the police tested 288 drivers for alcohol and around 140 for drugs in Hoofddorp and Badhoevedorp. Six drivers were arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs; no one was arrested there for alcohol.
Supporters of a zero limit see a simple message: anyone who drives uses nothing. Opponents point out that an absolute limit is not automatically the same as a better measure of current driving ability. Particularly with drugs, traces may remain detectable for longer than the effects last. The political question is therefore not only which limit is put on paper, but also which test, evidential rule and enforcement capacity go with it.
The action plan now focuses mainly on cooperation, education, an exploration of reintroducing the alcohol interlock and a bill on driving bans. It does not make clear that the current per-mille limits have already been replaced. The zero limit is therefore a policy intention from the coalition agreement, not a fully worked-out new traffic regime.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The coalition agreement refers to a zero-tolerance policy.
- The current rules use threshold levels for alcohol and different drugs.
- Drug checks may require a saliva test followed by blood testing.
- The police say roadside stops for these checks will remain necessary.
Left
Arguments The main benefit lies in fewer victims and a standard that leaves no room for doubt. From this perspective, investing in additional police capacity, public transport and prevention is wiser than focusing mainly on heavier penalties.
Values Equal road safety, protection of vulnerable road users and public health.
Consequences A zero limit could clarify the social norm, but without additional capacity it would remain largely symbolic and could displace other police duties.
Centre
Arguments A stricter approach is defensible, but it must be legally and technically workable. The limit, testing method, evidential rule and consequences for people taking prescribed medicines must be developed together.
Values Proportionality, feasibility and legal certainty.
Consequences A phased introduction with evaluation could improve road safety without overburdening the criminal justice chain.
Right
Arguments Driving and substance use do not belong together. A clear zero limit, visible checks and firm sanctions make the driver's responsibility clearer.
Values Personal responsibility, order and deterrence.
Consequences The measure could strengthen the likelihood of being caught and reinforce the norm, but from this perspective it primarily requires more efficient tests and less bureaucracy.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
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The policy direction, existing threshold levels and implementation problems can be found directly in government and police sources. The text clearly distinguishes between an intention and the law currently in force.
- confirmed The coalition agreement refers to zero tolerance for alcohol and drugs in traffic. — Coalition agreement, section on road safety. source
- confirmed The alcohol limit is 0.5 per mille for experienced drivers and 0.2 per mille for novice drivers. — Police information on statutory alcohol limits. source
- confirmed A zero limit applies to combinations of drugs, or drugs and alcohol. — The Dutch government explains the combination limit. source
- confirmed In 2022, 2.6 per cent of motorists were driving under the influence of alcohol on weekend nights. — National Road Safety Action Plan 2026-2029. source
- confirmed Six drivers were arrested for drug use during the check in Hoofddorp and Badhoevedorp. — Police report of 27 August 2026. source
Editor's note
The zero-tolerance policy is included in the coalition agreement. The existing threshold levels and implementation problems have been confirmed by government and police sources; no fully developed new law introducing a zero limit for all drivers has been found.Sources
- Coalitieakkoord 2026-2030 — Coalitiepartijen
- Landelijk Actieplan verkeersveiligheid 2026-2029 — Tweede Kamer
- Alcohol- en drugscontrole: geen alcohol, wel zes bestuurders onder invloed van drugs — Politie
- Am I allowed to drive under the influence of drugs? — Rijksoverheid