Road safety campaigners have put together a new package of proposals to help prevent deaths and accidents caused by drink driving on Britain’s roads.
Suggesting a more “joined-up approach” to drink driving legislation, experts at IAM RoadSmart are calling for “extra penalties” with Director of Policy and Research Neil Greig saying a “much smarter package of measures is needed” to tackle the problem.
The campaigners say a tougher approach involving a lower drink driving limit, better roadside testing and harsher penalties could reduce accidents further, as well as forcing motorists to forfeit their vehicles if they’re caught driving over the limit.
“There is no one simple answer to reducing these figures,” said Mr Greig.
“But IAM RoadSmart believes 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.
“Rehabilitation courses work, and we believe all those convicted of drink-driving should be sent on one automatically rather than having to opt-in.
“More use of alcolocks – which requires 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 could all be part of a more joined-up approach to the problem.
“Hardcore drink drivers are simply not getting the message, and these figures will not improve until policy changes.”
RoadSmart’s comments come after data from the Department for Transport showed that drink driving accidents have only fallen off by a slight degree.
Data from 2019 shows an estimated 7,800 deaths or injuries where at least one driver was over the legal drink driving limit compared to 2018’s figure of 8,600.
That 10% decline is a step in the right direction, the campaigners say, but still falls short of what is needed with drink driving accounts for five per cent of all road collisions in Great Britain.
Safety group THINK! is rejuvenating its ‘Pint Block’ campaign to stop those in the 17-24 age group from getting behind the wheel while drunk.
Mr Greig said: “While there has been a small reduction in the number of drink-driving related deaths and injuries, once again it represents little progress in reducing the carnage on UK roads caused by drink drivers.
“We welcome THINK!’s decision to reintroduce their ‘Pint Block’ campaign to coincide with the temptation to take a summer drink.
“Drivers aged 17–24 are four times more likely to be killed or seriously injured than male drivers aged 25 or older.
“Such tailored education programs are effective in communicating to young adults that drink driving should be given the red light.”
About Carl Millar
Carl Millar is a highly respected and experienced drink driving solicitor who is the principal of Millars Solicitors.
Carl has been a specialist in road traffic law for many years and represents clients from all walks of life and all over the Country. He is well known for the dogged defending of his clients and robust cross examination of police officers and exert witnesses.
With a wealth of expertise in motoring law Carl is well placed to provide advice over the phone and deal with all road traffic matters in a calm and professional way.
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