In a Whitehall-commissioned report, Sir Peter North had recommended reducing the limit from 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood to 50mg – equivalent to around one pint of beer for a man.

The move would have brought Britain into line with most of Europe but the proposals were rejected by the UK Government yesterday.

Transport Secretary Philip Hammond said greater enforcement of the existing limit would be more effective.

He said the Government would instead seek to take “tough action” on drivers who “flagrantly ignore the limit”.

The Government will also examine the case for a new drug-driving offence that would remove the need for police to prove impairment on a case-by-case basis where a specified drug has been detected.

According to the Scottish Herald, the Scottish Government will move to lower the limit as soon as the Scotland Bill is passed. The Bill devolves responsibility for the issue north of the border.

A spokesman for the Scottish Government was quoted by the newspaper as saying: “It is disappointing that Westminster has failed to reduce the existing limit.

“The current limit simply leaves too much room for confusion and sends out the wrong message.”

Christian drug and alcohol education charity Hope UK said it shared the disappointment expressed by the AA and the British Medical Association.

"It is odd that the Government should commission a report and then disregard the recommendations made," said Marolin Watson, Business Manager of Hope UK.

"It is also hard to see how improved enforcement of current drink-drive limits can be achieved at a time when police numbers are expected to decrease.

"Many people are confused about drink drive limits anyway and it seems to us that the safest and most responsible course of action is for people not to drink at all if they know they will be driving.

"After all, it should be about keeping people safe, not just avoiding detection.”