Jordan has taken a bold step to make its roads safer with the ratification of a new drink-driving law that meets World Health Organization (WHO) best practice criteria.

With technical support from WHO, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan introduced legislation that lowers the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for drivers to 0.05 grams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood for the general population, bringing the country closer to global standards that save lives.

Drinking and driving significantly increases the risk and severity of road crashes. In low- and middle-income countries, where 92% of road deaths occur, between 33% and 69% of drivers killed in crashes have consumed alcohol.

“Jordan’s landmark drink-driving law is a major step forward in efforts to reduce road deaths,” said Dr Iman Shankiti, WHO Representative to Jordan. “This builds on the commendable progress in reducing preventable road fatalities in recent years. Looking forward, WHO is here to help implement the new law and advance road safety however we can.”