Government Data Shows More Than 23 Drink-Driving Casualties a Day

17 September 2020

Road safety charity, IAM RoadSmart, is calling for the UK government action over the staggering number of reported deaths relating to drink-driving. 

The Department for Transport last updated the ‘Reported drinking and driving (RAS51)' statistical data set for Great Britain on August 27 2020, to reveal that there were 8,680 drink-driving related casualties in 2018. This equates to more than 23 people suffering injury or death as a consequence of drink-driving every day. Of these casualties, there were 260 fatalities. 

Drink-drive casualties reduced significantly in 2010 from previous years, however, since then we have seen fluctuation each year, rising or falling by a few percent annually. The casualty figure from 2018 was a 1% reduction from the previous year. 

The charity, which is a leading provider of driving courses, including drink drive rehabilitation courses is asking the government to use these educational schemes more widely, as well as enforcement campaigns to seize vehicles from repeat-offenders. IAM RoadSmart has also proposed that the government should lower the drink-drive limit to the following:

22 mcg of alcohol in 100 ml of breath (the 'breath limit')
50 mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood (the 'blood limit')
67 mg of alcohol in 100 ml of urine (the 'urine limit').

Neil Greig, IAM RoadSmart director of policy and research, said, “We believe a much smarter package of measures is needed from the Government, including a lower drink-drive limit to reinforce good behaviour, fast-track of evidential roadside testing machines to release police resources and tailored approaches to help drivers with alcohol problems. 

“More use of alcohol interlocks – which require the driver to blow into a mouthpiece on the device before starting or continuing to operate the vehicle – and extra penalties such as vehicle forfeiture, as used in Scotland, could all be part of a more joined-up approach to the problem.

He concludes, “Hard-core drink drivers are simply not getting the message, and these figures will not improve until policy changes.”

Driving safely is of key importance to all at Marshall Minibus, including our clients, third parties and suppliers. To find out more about our minibus leasing services, please contact us on 01480 220444.

Back to Blog listings