Hundreds of motorists have been apprehended for drink-driving offenses four times or more, leading to calls for tougher measures such as installing breathalysers in their vehicles. Official data obtained by the PA news agency revealed that over 27,000 British drivers were convicted of drink-driving multiple times in the 11 years leading up to July 20. Among them, 372 individuals were caught at least four times, with four offenders facing prosecution on seven separate occasions.
The figures were based on statistics from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, showing the number of DR10 endorsements on driving records as of July 20. These endorsements last for 11 years from the date of the offense and are given to individuals convicted of driving or attempting to drive with alcohol levels above the legal limit. Motoring organisations have highlighted the urgency for the government to consider implementing alcolocks, devices that prevent a vehicle from starting unless the driver passes a breath test, as a preventive measure against repeat offenses.
RAC road safety spokesman Rod Dennis expressed concern over the persistent issue of drink-driving, emphasising the need for effective interventions to deter such behaviour. He pointed out that despite previous convictions, some drivers continue to operate vehicles under the influence, leading to preventable fatalities. William Porter, from road safety charity IAM RoadSmart, echoed these sentiments, advocating for the expansion of drink-drive rehabilitation courses and the mandatory fitting of alcolocks for repeat offenders.
The alarming statistics come amidst a backdrop of increasing concern over road safety, with a rising number of fatalities involving drivers over the legal alcohol limit. Police forces in England and Wales conducted approximately 229,000 breath tests in 2022, marking a slight increase from the previous year but still below pre-pandemic levels. The Department for Transport reported that an estimated 300 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes in 2022, the highest figure since 2009.
The legal alcohol limit in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland stands at 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, significantly higher than the 50mg/100ml limit observed in most European countries. Stakeholders are calling for decisive action to address the persistent issue of drink-driving and enhance road safety standards. The government has pledged to prioritise road safety and is set to unveil a new Road Safety Strategy, marking a significant step towards tackling this pressing public health concern.