100 motorists a day caught drink driving
Research from IAM RoadSmart has revealed the extent of the UK’s drink driving problem, with 100 endorsements issued every day for the last three years.
It found that 108,000 drink driving endorsements have been issued over the past three years.
Professionals aged 25 to 39 are the worst offenders with 48,000 being caught, while a further 40,000 motorists aged 40 to 65 have also received drink driving endorsements. This compares to 15,000 drivers aged 17 to 24 and just 3,000 in the over-65 age group.
The data is based on a Freedom of Information request to the DVLA.
Drink driving costs
Meanwhile, further research from IAM RoadSmart has found that the cost of drink-driving has risen to potentially £80,000, up 15% on similar research conducted five years ago. This consists of the loss of 15 months’ worth of salary equal to £46,800, legal fees of £13,600, fines costing up to £5,000, public transport costs of up to £2,500 and £13,700 in increased insurance premiums.
IAM RoadSmart director of policy and standards Nicholas Lyes said: “Drink-driving is a dangerously reckless act that puts other people’s lives at risk.
“The fact that there were 1,860 killed or seriously injured in a drink-drive related collision in 2023 – the equivalent of five people a day – should be sufficient deterrent. But for some, the consequences might only dawn on them when they realise the wider cost.”
New mindset
Lyes continued: “We hope that by calculating the potential cost to the individual, would-be law breakers will at the very least consider the impact on themselves and think twice before getting behind the wheel after a drink; it could end up being a very expensive pint if it puts you over the drink-drive limit.
“We welcome plans to reduce the drink-drive limit and hope that it would prompt behavioural change with many not risking having a drink before driving.
“What we need is a shift in mindset, and lowering the limit and boosting enforcement would help send the message that having none for the road is best.”
