The RAC is calling on the Government to tackle the issue of re-offending among drink drivers as “a matter of urgency”, backing the introduction of alcohol interlocks.
A report published by the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS) earlier this week highlighted that nearly one in five (17%) drink drive offences are committed by a reoffender.
More widely, the report urges the Government to carry out a ‘major’ review into drink driving, after concluding the current system is ‘no longer adequate’.
Reacting to the report, the RAC warns “something different clearly needs to be done” to reduce drink drive deaths, which have plateaued over the last decade.
The motoring organisation wants the Government to set out a “clear plan” to show how alcohol interlocks will be introduced to reduce rates of reoffending, something ministers said they were looking at 18 months ago.
The RAC also says there is also a “good case” for the Government to examine the merits of lowering the drink drive limit in England and Wales.
Simon Williams, RAC road safety spokesman, said: “This report really moves the debate on when it comes to drink-driving in the UK.
“The plain fact is that there has been virtually no progress in reducing drink-driving deaths for nearly a decade, so something different clearly needs to be done.
“Arguably, given that England and Wales now have the dubious distinction of having the most lenient drink-drive limit in Europe, there is also a good case for the Government to examine the merits of bringing it down. A lower limit is something our research shows the majority of drivers would be in favour of.
“Seeing as the level of reoffending is so high, we believe this needs to be tackled as a matter of urgency. A year and a half ago the Government said it was looking at the benefits so-called ‘alcolocks’ to reduce reoffending, so it is high time a clear plan was put together that sets out how this technology will be now introduced to reduce future deaths.
“Ongoing issues around enforcement and giving the police the resources they need also require attention, especially as the report shows drink-driving goes hand-in-hand with drug-taking.”
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