Fewer people would die on Australia’s roads if the blood-alcohol limit for motorists was lowered to 0.02, according to a study.

The Monash University Accident Research Centre compared drink-driving limits in different jurisdictions around the world to analyse the link to road fatalities.

In 2013, more than 10,000 people were caught drink-driving on Victoria’s roads and people with a blood-alcohol limit over 0.05 made up about a fifth of the states road toll.

The study found high-range drink drivers generally reduced their drinking by between by 30 and 50 per cent when blood-alcohol levels were reduced.

Monash University Professor Max Cameron said having a lower blood-alcohol limit would discourage heavy drink-drivers from drinking.

“They unfortunately don’t stop drink-driving, they just reduce the amount they drink,” he said.

“It translates into substantial reductions of fatal crashes in particular.”

The report recommended the Victorian Government consider reducing the limit.

“The road safety issue it is very cost effective and probably the most cost effective thing we could do,” professor Cameron said.

“The only real additional cost was the concern about the need to do evidentiary testing after detecting drivers at random breath testing.”

Victoria Police renew drink-driving threshold debate

The study’s findings were revealed as Victoria Police called for a renewed debate over the current 0.05 legal blood-alcohol limit.

ABC Science looks at how a blood-alcohol level of as little as 0.01 can impair driving

Inspector Martin Boorman from Road Policing Command said while there had been a drop in the number of drink-drivers on Victorian roads, more work was still needed.

“Even though we’ve had the lowest road toll in 90 years we’ve still got more to do because people are still dying and being hurt on our roads,” he said.

Inspector Boorman said making the blood-alcohol level zero should also be considered.

“Saying, well if you’re going to drink don’t drive, if you’re going to drive don’t drink,” he said.

“It makes it a very simple yes, no, question.”

Premier Denis Napthine said the Government had no plans to reduce the drink-driving threshold.

“This would have a significant implication for hospitality industry and quality of life across Melbourne and across Victoria,” he said.

“Our priority should be about making roads safer. Having said that, let me say that we as a Government have no plans at this stage to change the 0.05.”