More than half of motorists (53%) want to see the Government allow courts to order anyone convicted of drink-driving to have ‘alcolocks’ fitted to their vehicles to prevent them reoffending, a new RAC study has found.
While almost a quarter (23%) of the 1,763 drivers surveyed by the RAC didn’t think the introduction of the breathalyser devices – which prevent a vehicle being started if there is any alcohol in the offender’s breath – would reduce drink-driving, a similar proportion (23%) were unsure about the idea.
Data from a Freedom of Information request to the DVLA made by the Press Association suggests a significant number of drink-drive offences are committed by reoffenders. More than 27,000 individuals were convicted of multiple drink-driving offences in the 11 years leading up to July 2024.
Government data also shows there were a total of 47,284 ‘driving a motor vehicle under the influence of drink or drugs’ convictions in all courts in the year ending 2023. In 2022, 300 people were killed in drink-drive collisions, according to the most recently available statistics. Consequently, three-quarters (76%) of drivers who participated in the RAC survey would like to see more being done to reduce the number of people that drive while over the limit.
There are various options for the use of ‘alcolocks’. For instance, courts could mandate them for reoffenders only, or anyone convicted of drink-driving. In other countries the fitting is generally paid for by the offende
In other countries where alcohol-interlocks are used, including Finland, Belgium, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and many parts of the United States, drink-drivers are generally banned for a short time. They are then allowed to drive again as long as they have an alcohol-interlock fitted to their vehicle for a set period, most commonly a year. Two-thirds (66%) of those surveyed by the RAC said they would be supportive of a similar approach in the UK, 15% were against the idea and a fifth (19%) were undecided.
(Pic: Smart Start Interlocks)
