DRIVERS across the UK are facing a ban on any booze before they get behind the wheel of a car.

DRIVERS across the UK are facing a ban on any booze before they get behind the wheel of a car.

Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick today revealed the Government was considering the zero-tolerance approach.

He said: "There is always an argument for zero tolerance. We are going to be consulting early next year on whether to keep the limit as it stands or drop it, and whether to introduce random breath testing of motorists. It's difficult to assess whether you are over the limit because people's metabolisms are different and it depends on many different factors.

"The advice is if you are drinking leave the car at home, use public transport or share a taxi with friends."

A source close to First Minister Alex Salmond said: "Along with the UK Government, the Scottish Government has a shared objective to eradicate drink driving.

"We will listen carefully to what the Minister has to say."

The news was revealed after a survey showed four out of 10 motorists backed a ban on any alcohol for people planning to drive.

But almost 45% of just more than 2000 drivers questioned admitted they had got behind the wheel after having had some alcohol, while 4% said they did this frequently.

And 22% said they had been a passenger in a car when they thought that the driver was over the drink-drive limit.

But many people admitted being confused about how much they would have to drink to be over the legal limit.

A third did not know how many units of alcohol were in an average strength pint of beer, while 49% did not know what effect a glass of wine would have on them.

YouGov carried out the survey for insurer Direct Line.

Tony Chilcott, head of car insurance at Direct Line, said: "Findings from our study make worrying reading.

"If an average sized female motorist drinks two large glasses of wine during an evening out, that is the equivalent of two-thirds of a bottle of wine.

"She is extremely likely to be over the drink-drive limit - breaking the law and putting her life and others at risk."

He said it was this uncertainty that many motorists wanted to end by banning all drinking before driving.