UK motorists believe more needs to be done to tackle the problem of drink-driving, according to new research.
A study for the RAC’s 2025 Report on Motoring found that 82 percent of drivers want tougher action to be taken.
The latest government statistics show that deaths from drink-driving have increased by seven percent during the last decade.
Drink-driving fatalities are now at their highest level since 2009, with between 260 and 300 people killed each year on Britain’s roads.
Drivers want tougher drink-drive action
Before being told that drink-driving now accounts for almost a fifth (18 percent) of road deaths, some 68 percent of survey respondents said they wanted more action taken to address the issue.
After being informed of the new government statistics, a further 14 percent said they were in favour of new legislation or tougher penalties for driving over the alcohol limit.
Those aged under 25 showed the strongest support for stricter rules, with 88 percent in approval. Yet under-25s are also the age group most likely to break current drink-drive laws.
All age categories were overwhelmingly in support of renewed action. Drivers over 65 were the least enthusiastic, however, with 77 percent in favour of more being done.
Drink-driving on the increase
The RAC’s Report on Motoring highlighted an increase in the proportion of drivers who admit to having been in control of a vehicle while under the influence.
This is now approaching pre-pandemic levels, with seven percent of drivers believing they have driven while over the drink-drive limit. A further five percent thought they had still been legally unfit to drive the morning after a night out.
The number of survey respondents who said they knew, or suspected, they had been in a car with a drunk driver has also doubled in the last year – up from eight percent to 16 percent.
Alcolocks could be a solution
RAC road safety spokesperson Rod Dennis said: “The fact a huge majority of drivers support more being done to tackle the scourge of drink-driving, coupled with the long-term trend of more lives being lost to this entirely preventable crime, sends a clear message to the government ahead of the publication of the first Road Safety Strategy in over a decade.”
“One solution we’re in favour of is courts being given the power to mandate the fitting of alcohol interlocks [commonly known as alcolocks], which prevent offenders starting their cars without first providing a negative breath test.”
“These devices offer a practical and globally proven way to stop drink-drivers reoffending and make our roads safer. Drivers’ support for alcolocks is overwhelming, with 82 percent telling us they want to see offenders have them installed.”
Only seven percent of drivers surveyed by the RAC were against the idea of alcolocks being mandated for repeat drink-drive offenders.
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