Hundreds of motorists caught drink-driving four times or more have sparked concerns among officials, as figures reveal a total of 27,837 British drivers were convicted of the offence multiple times in the 11 years leading up to July 2024. Among these, 372 individuals were caught at least four times, including four who faced prosecution on seven occasions.
The data, sourced from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency in response to a freedom of information request, reflects the number of DR10 endorsements on driving records as of July 20. These endorsements are given to motorists found guilty of driving or attempting to drive with alcohol levels exceeding legal limits.
Motoring organisations have highlighted the necessity for the Government to contemplate the implementation of alcolocks in the UK, following examples from several European countries where these devices are used to prevent vehicles from starting if the driver fails a breath test. The call for alcolocks stems from concerns over repeat drink-driving offences and the associated risks on roads.
RAC road safety spokesman Rod Dennis emphasised the urgent need for a change in attitudes towards drink-driving, with the rate of fatalities linked to this issue escalating to levels comparable to those seen in the late 1980s. The introduction of alcolocks is touted as a proactive measure to deter convicted offenders from further endangering road users.
IAM RoadSmart’s policy and communications manager, William Porter, advocated for an expansion of drink-drive rehabilitation courses to reduce reoffending rates, along with the potential requirement for alcolocks for repeat offenders. Porter also suggested increasing the number of roadside breathalyser tests conducted by police as a visual deterrent against drink-driving.
Despite some progress in roadside breath tests conducted by police forces in England and Wales, with around 229,000 tests in 2022, there is still a notable increase in alcohol-related road fatalities. In 2022, an estimated 300 people lost their lives in crashes involving drivers over the legal alcohol limit—a concerning rise from previous years.
The Department for Transport highlighted that road safety remains a top priority, promising the delivery of a new Road Safety Strategy, the first in over a decade, to address these alarming trends. With the persistence of drink-driving incidents resulting in tragic consequences, the push for stricter measures, such as alcolocks and enhanced rehabilitation programs, underscores the urgency for effective interventions to curb this dangerous behaviour on UK roads.