Drink-driving tests declining in England and Wales
The number of roadside drink-driving tests in England and Wales fell from 2023 to 2024, according to new figures.
Home Office figures published in the Police Powers and Procedures report revealed that 167,384 drink-driving tests carried out in 2023 compared to 167,095 in 2024.
Meanwhile, 260 people were killed in drink-driving collisions in 2023 and 6,310 people were injured or killed by motorists over the legal alcohol limit, according to Department for Transport figures.
It has further been revealed that 15% of drivers tested in 2024 were either over the limit or refused to be tested.
Wrong message
Hunter Abbott, managing director of breathalyser firm AlcoSense, said: “A reduction in breath tests, however slight, sends exactly the wrong message to motorists. Drink driving continues to kill far too many people every year, yet police are carrying out considerably fewer tests than they did in the past.”
He added: “England and Wales currently has the highest drink-drive limit in Europe, but lowering it will achieve little unless enforcement is strengthened. Police need wider powers such as random breath testing along with the ability to confiscate vehicles or licences immediately when drivers are caught over the limit.
“Breath testing after an accident should also be mandatory; just 37% of drivers involved in collisions are currently breathalysed.”
