He told MSPs the Scottish Government would move to reduce the limit as soon as powers were devolved from Westminster.
No new limit has been specified, but a reduction from 80mg per 100ml of blood down to 50mg, which is in line with most of the rest of Europe, has been mentioned.
The Scotland Act will allow Holyrood to set the drink-drive limit, but does not give Scottish ministers powers over changing the penalties or the power to introduce random breath testing, as called for by the Scottish Government.
Labour agreed with the SNP that the limit should be lowered, but wanted a guarantee that it could be policed effectively.
Mr MacAskill said the total of deaths caused by drink-driving had been falling, but the average was 30 every year.
He added: "That is 30 families who have to cope with the loss because someone thought it acceptable to drink and drive.
"It is reckless and totally unacceptable and is putting lives at risk. People in Scotland are fed up with drink-drivers and their petty excuses.
"We still see hundreds of accidents each year as a result of the selfish actions of drivers significantly impaired by alcohol posing a risk to themselves to other motorists and pedestrians.
"The current drink-drive limit has had its day."
Lewis MacDonald, Labour's justice spokesman, said: "There is a strong case for a change."
However, he added he wanted to ensure the powers being devolved would be used as soon as possible and not be delayed while asking for other powers relating to drink-driving.
Mr MacAskill said the change would be brought in as soon as possible, once police breathalyser equipment was re- calibrated and the law passed.
Mr MacDonald also said he wanted an assurance that the policy could be enforced effectively and police officers would not be taken off frontline duties to cover reductions in civilian support staff.
James Dornan, Cathcart SNP MSP, said there was still a macho culture that needed to be addressed.
He recalled times as a child seeing people drive home from house parties and admitted as a young man to having taken lifts home from the pub by people obviously over the limit.
He said: "The evidence is there to consider lowering the limit."
stewart.paterson@ eveningtimes.co.uk
