Responding to the DfT’s data included in its ‘Reported road casualties in Great Britain, drink-drive collisions: 2024’ report the RAC’s head of policy Simon Williams has described the findings as a “wake-up call.”

“The estimated number of people killed or seriously injured by drink-drivers may have dropped slightly year-on-year, but it’s a different picture over the last 10 years,: he stated. “Little has changed and we must redouble our efforts to tackle this crime that wrecks so many lives. On average, four people die or are inflicted with serious injuries on the UK’s roads as a result of drink-drivers every single day, which should be a clear wake-up call to policymakers.

“It’s also the case that while estimated fatalities may have dropped a little, drink is responsible for an increasing percentage of these collisions. We also know a proportion of these will be repeat offenders for whom the current bans have little to no effect. So, it’s clear there needs to be a new approach to tackling habitual, high-risk drink-drivers, and urgently.

“Drinking and driving is a deliberate act and we implore the Government to use its current focus on road safety to mandate the use of alcohol interlocks – which prevent drink-drivers from even being able to start their vehicles – to cut reoffending. We have demonstrated this technology to the road safety minister and to MPs, and international evidence shows it works in cutting casualties.”

(Picture: Yay Images)