PACTS and IAM RoadSmart urge the government to implement an ‘alcolock’ programme
26 April 2021
All new cars manufactured from 2022 will be required by law to be fitted with an ‘alcolock’ – an alcohol interlock feature which requires the driver to blow into a breath-testing tool connected to the car’s ignition system before they can start the vehicle - across Europe, but it is up to the government to decide how this feature will be used.
A new report from the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport (PACTS), supported by research from IAM RoadSmart urges the government to implement an alcolock programme including rehabilitation measures, saying that, “the greater use of alcolocks will have a positive impact on road safety”.
According to IAM RoadSmart, there have been over 100,000 drink driving offences committed by repeat offenders in the UK since 2010 and an average of 240 deaths a year involving a drink driver.
PACTS has extended the following recommendations for an alcohol interlock programme in the UK:
- Have clearly defined standards, roles and responsibilities.
- Be available to the courts to offer or mandate for drink drivers as widely as possible.
- Reduce the period of licence disqualification for participants (except those who have committed ‘causing harm’ offences’.
- Require participants to demonstrate sustained compliance with the programme before being able to exit it.
- Include rehabilitation, with additional treatment made available for those with alcohol and mental health issues.
- Have an alcohol concentration setpoint for the alcohol interlock as close to zero as is practicable.
- Include monitoring and sanctions for programme violations.
Executive Director of PACTS David Davies said, “We were shocked to find that one in six drink driving offences is committed by someone previously convicted. Since 2010, this amounts to over 100,000 offences – each of which is highly dangerous for the driver and other road users. Clearly the current system is not adequate.”
“A number of other countries have introduced alcohol interlocks to prevent repeat drink driving and to bring down the number of deaths and injuries that result. Alcohol interlocks have proved highly effective. PACTS is calling on the government to give UK courts the powers to impose them without delay”.
IAM RoadSmart’s Director of Policy and Research Neil Greig said, “Worldwide, integrating technology, such as alcolocks, with rehabilitation courses, has been shown to be the most effective way to stop drink drive reoffending and reduce crashes”.
IAM RoadSmart’s research also found that 90% of respondents to a survey of 2,000 people were supportive of the introduction of alcolocks. Neil Greig added, “The evidence is clear. Nearly all motorists want new cars fitted with alcolocks to help stop the daily carnage on UK roads from drink driving and this latest PACTS report is even further endorsement.”
We at Marshall Minibus are always supportive of any measures taken to improve road safety, and trust that you find this information interesting.
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