Drink-drive fatalities up and rate returns to late 1980s level - RAC comment

Image: Getty. All rights reserved

Following the publication of new government drink and drug-driving casualty figures out today, RAC road safety spokesperson Rod Dennis said:

“While the number of people killed by drink-drivers is still thankfully far lower now compared to the final decades of the 20th century, the fact we’re back to a similar rate of fatalities caused by people drinking and driving as we were in the late 1980s is abhorrent. It’s abundantly clear that a hard core of people, especially men, continue to put the lives of all road users at risk by choosing to get behind the wheel after consuming too much alcohol. This is the case across the UK, including in Scotland which has had a lower blood alcohol limit than in England and Wales since 2014.

“The UK might have an enviable record on road safety compared to many other countries, but there’s no getting away from the fact that overall casualty numbers aren’t really decreasing anymore. We urge the Government to work closely and collaboratively with experts to put in place a clear action plan for reducing these terrible statistics going forward. Every life lost on our roads is one too many.

“The data for Scotland suggests merely reducing the legal drink-drive limit isn’t enough. Drivers need to be prevented from being able to drink and drive in the first place, or at least believe there’s a very good chance of being caught. Data suggests a significant number of drink-drive offences are committed by reoffenders, so there’s a good case for fitting alcolocks which stop someone over the limit from starting a car. But there’s also a very strong argument for an increase in enforcement, something that will always be a challenge for as long as police resources are tight.

“We’re also pleased to see data on drug-driving is now being collected, as recommended by PACTS. Again, initial figures suggest the situation is getting worse but as the Department for Transport has noted there is more work to be done to ensure the data is as robust as possible.”

Press office team

Press office team

For journalist enquiries only

Share

Latest News

Website preview
Amber heat-health alert issued for all regions in England - RAC comment
Following the news that an amber heat-health alert has been issued for all regions in England, RAC breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson said: "Drivers should take every precaution in the heat because when temperatures soar, vehicle breakdowns usually do the same. One of the biggest risks is an increase in cars overheating, especially when sat in queues of traffic with no shade.
media.rac.co.uk
Website preview
One-in-six drivers who ignore MOT advisories suffer a breakdown – or worse
RAC warns against ‘advisory apathy’ or run the gauntlet of a breakdown
media.rac.co.uk
Website preview
Government commits £24bn to road maintenance in 2025 Spending Review - RAC comment
In response to the Government's Spending Review, which commits £24bn of capital funding to road maintenance between 2026 - 2030, RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: “Giving councils the certainty of longer-term funding to fix their roads is something we’ve called for many years, so this is excellent news. Local authorities now have a golden opportunity to end the cycle of merely filling potholes and instead begin to be much more proactive in their maintenance. This must include both more surface dressing to keep decent roads in good condition and resurfacing those that are at the end of their lives. It’s incumbent on councils to grasp this new opportunity and show all road users how it’s making a genuine difference in the quality of the roads they use every day."
media.rac.co.uk

Get updates in your mailbox

By clicking "Subscribe" I confirm I have read and agree to the Privacy Policy.

About RAC Media Centre

The RAC Media Centre provides journalists and news outlets with the latest motoring-related news, comment, data and research.

The RAC is an iconic UK brand, and provides complete peace of mind to nearly 14 million UK private and business drivers - whatever their motoring needs. As well as its premium nationwide breakdown assistance service – with an expert branded patrol workforce attending more than two million breakdowns every year – and European breakdown assistance products, it offers a wide range of market-leading products across insurance, legal services, vehicle inspections and service, maintenance and repair. Included in this is the first-of-its-kind nationwide Mobile Mechanics service which brings the garage to homes and workplaces. 

At the forefront of new solutions for business fleets and consumers, the RAC’s breakdown service is electric-ready with mobile EV charging technology and be called on using myRAC – its all-in-one route planner, fuel finder and breakdown reporting app

Contact

press.office@rac.co.uk

media.rac.co.uk