Summer is the overlooked peak for drink-drive collisions, new analysis shows
August averages more than 700 drink-drive casualties compared to 663 in December
August recorded the highest average number of drink-drive casualties and collisions of any months between 2014 and 2024 – with summer consistently proving more dangerous than winter, RAC analysis of new government data reveals.*
On average, August saw 721 drink-drive casualties from 485 collisions each year over the 11-year period in Great Britain, narrowly ahead of July (704 casualties from 474 collisions), making summer consistently the highest-risk period for drink-driving incidents. In contrast, December – which is often the month most associated with drink-driving – saw an average of 663 drink-drive casualties from 459 collisions.
While public attention often focuses on Christmas and New Year, the analysis found June to August averaged 16% more drink-drive casualties than December to February over the last 11 years. Drink-drive collisions were also 16% higher during the summer months.
The latest available figures show the pattern continues. In 2024, June recorded the highest number of drink-drive casualties and collisions, with 650 casualties and 440 collisions. Across the summer months there were 1,810 casualties and 1,220 collisions, compared with and 1,570 casualties and 1,060 collisions during winter.
The findings come as the RAC continues to call for stronger measures to tackle repeat drink-driving, including the introduction of court-ordered alcohol ignition interlocks ('alcolocks') for high-risk and repeat offenders.
RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: "Drink-driving is often seen as more of a Christmas issue, but our analysis shows collisions involving drivers who have consumed illegal levels of alcohol are actually far more common during the summer.
"Warmer weather, longer evenings as well as holidays, festivals and barbecues all create more opportunities and temptation for people to drink and then get behind the wheel.
“Anyone who has drunk alcohol on a summer’s evening or weekend shouldn’t get behind the wheel until they’re absolutely sure they’re safe to drive. This advice is especially important as the UK experiences a summer that’s so far been characterised by largely fine weather and, for some, successive heatwaves.
“It’s also important to be mindful of the effects of tiredness which can affect people who struggle to sleep in very hot conditions. Tiredness, dehydration and alcohol can be a lethal combination behind the wheel.
“Enforcement of the drink-drive law at this time of year is therefore extremely important in keeping everyone safe. However, as we’ve highlighted in the past, repeat offending is a genuine problem with nearly 27,000 drivers having been convicted more than once over an 11-year period.** Drivers strongly support alcohol interlocks which require a convicted drink-driver to provide a negative breath test in order for their vehicle to start. We – alongside the Lock-Out Drink-Driving campaign – continue to urge the Government to allow courts to mandate them.”
Notes to Editors
* All data has been analysed from the Department for Transport's RAS2011: Reported drink-drive road casualties in Great Britain dataset. The analysis covers the latest 11-year period for which monthly data is available (2014–2024 inclusive). Monthly collision and casualty figures were aggregated to calculate long-term monthly averages and to compare summer (June–August) and winter (December–February) drink-drive trends. The latest available year (2024) was analysed separately to assess whether the long-term pattern remained evident. All percentage differences are calculated using average monthly figures across the stated period
** RAC, February 2026 – ‘More than 2,500 motorists caught drink-driving three or more times in the last 11 years’ at https://media.rac.co.uk/more-than-2500-motorists-caught-drink-driving-three-or-more-times-in-the-last-11-years
Press team
