The new limit will apply to drivers who have passed their test within the last three years and is set at 0.2g/l blood alcohol – the same as the lower French limit which came into force in July – compared to the current limit of 0.5g/l.

The changes in Belgium also see alcohol interlocks made mandatory for vehicles used in public transport.

The new measures form part of a 15-point road safety plan announced by transport minister Jacqueline Galant to reverse the negative trend in the number of road fatalities. According to estimates by the Belgian Road Safety Institute, 755 people will have died on Belgian roads by the end of 2015, an increase of almost 4% over 2014 (727 killed).