Drink driving is always a sensitive subject and different countries have different views on it. Some show zero tolerance, like Pakistan, Cuba, Indonesia, Romania, Jordan and Nigeria. Countries which have low alcohol limits include China which has a 0.02% Blood/Alcohol Count (BAC) and a potential one-three month license suspension for exceeding it. This rises to a three-six month license suspension and a 15 day prison sentence if you go over 0.08%. Brazil also has a 0.02% BAC. In Brazil if you are involved in an accident and found with more than 0.06% BAC you will be imprisoned. In India the BAC is slightly higher, but not by much at 0.03%.
Many countries have a 0.05% limit and if you exceed this limit in Hong Kong you can get a fine and up to three years in jail. Other countries with 0.05% BAC are Malaysia, Thailand, Israel, Egypt, South Africa, Argentina, Austria, Denmark, France and Portugal. In Austria the limit is 0.01% for people who have had their licence for less than two years. In the United Kingdom the BAC is 0.08%. If you drive whilst above you are the legal limit or are considered to be unfit because you have been drinking, this carries a minimum 12 months' driving ban, a maximum penalty of six months' imprisonment and a fine of up to £5,000.
The United States driving limit is also 0.08% and the offence of driving under the influence of alcohol is known as a DUI. There is some variance on the laws from state to state however and in Wisconsin the first time you are caught driving drunk it is treated as forfeiture. Canada has the same BAC limit and it is also an offence to refuse to give a breathalyzer sample to a policeman with a $50 fine for this offence mandatory. Mexico has a 0.08% BAC and foreigners who have been convicted of drink driving in the last 10 years are refused entry at the border.
* Whilst the limit in Germany is 0.05 (zero for new / professional drivers), should you be involved in a road traffic accident or caught speeding, this limit is reduced to 0.03 and you will be prosecuted accordingly.