The drink-driving limit should be almost halved in England and Wales to match the threshold in Scotland, the Police Federation has suggested.

The group, who represent rank-and-file officers, said the limit should drop from 80mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood to 50mg, while also warning of a need to address drink-driving by women.

The issue is set to be discussed at the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) annual conference later today (May 19).

Victoria Martin, a chief inspector working at the PFEW, said: "We would like to see a lower drink-drive limit, as most other European countries have, as well as Scotland, which saw a marked reduction in failed breathalyser tests as soon as the law was changed last year.

"We would like to see road safety back on the national and local agenda."

Ms Martin will also address figures from Social Research Associates which showed that nearly one in six women who responded to a survey last year admitted to driving when they thought they were over the limit, while many were unaware how much alcohol would put them over the threshold.

The SRA said anti-drink-driving messages were "not getting across adequately", including how drinking impacts driving ability, and the risks of getting caught.

Ms Martin said: "We've seen a steep decline in men drink-driving over the years, with targeted advertising campaigns, which is great, but women don't seem to be getting the same message.

"It seems we have a worrying trend, with females still flouting the drink-drive limit, sometimes scarily unaware, putting themselves and others in danger as well as adding to the drain on police resources."

Counter-terrorism, cyber crime, child protection and drink-driving are among issues which will be discussed at the conference.