Newly released government figures on drink and drug-driving casualties have revealed a worrying trend, with drink-drive fatalities returning to levels last seen in the late 1980s. The RAC has expressed deep concern over these statistics, emphasizing the persistent danger posed by a “hard core” of drivers, particularly men, who choose to drive under the influence of alcohol.
Rod Dennis, a road safety spokesperson for the RAC, stated, “Although the numbers are still lower than in the late 20th century, the fact that we’re witnessing a rate of fatalities similar to the late 1980s is abhorrent. This reckless behaviour endangers everyone on the road.”
Despite Scotland’s implementation of a stricter blood alcohol limit since 2014, the UK-wide data suggests that simply lowering legal limits is insufficient. The RAC is calling for more proactive measures to prevent drink-driving. Dennis added, “There’s a compelling case for the use of alcolocks, which prevent an over-the-limit individual from starting a vehicle. Moreover, enhancing enforcement is crucial, though this remains a challenge with current police resource constraints.
The RAC also welcomed the inclusion of drug-driving data in the report, a move previously advocated by PACTS (Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety). Initial findings indicate a deterioration in drug-driving incidents, highlighting the need for ongoing improvements in data accuracy and robustness.
The RAC urges the Government to adopt a clear, collaborative action plan with road safety experts to reduce these distressing statistics. Every life lost is one too many,” Dennis concluded, calling for immediate and decisive action to curb these dangerous driving behaviours.
