Latest data relating to drink drive deaths in the UK are pointing to a significant rise in casualties with more people killed than at any point since 2009.

The figures, which though provisional, suggest that there has been a 17 per cent rise in drink drive deaths in the most recent data from 2019. Though the actual figure will not be published until later this year, the RAC is suggesting that a death-rate of between 240-320 people killed calls for more action from the government. The motoring group is calling for more roadside testing, a review of the legal limit and the introduction of ‘alco-locks’ for drivers with previous convictions.

The Department for Transport has said that the 280 ‘central estimate’ is not statistically significant, saying in a statement: “These statistics, especially the number of fatalities, are subject to considerable uncertainty.

“This means that it is impossible to be sure of the precise number of fatalities, so ranges and confidence intervals are used for fatalities throughout the publication.”
The DfT also points out that overall deaths or injuries caused by drink-driving may have actually fallen from 8,680 in 2018 to 7,860.
However, speaking to The Daily Mail, Simon Williams, road safety spokesman from the RAC said: “The UK Government should consider all options, including increasing enforcement at the roadside, the use of alco-locks for those already convicted of driving under the influence and even looking at the merits of reducing the drink-drive limit in England and Wales to bring it in line with most other European countries.”

The alco-locks in question are common in many European countries, and fitted to a car, the driver has to blow into the device before the engine will start.

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