Drink-Drive Deaths Rise 7% Over Ten Years – Should Breathalyzers Be Mandatory in Cars?
Drink-related fatalities on UK roads have risen by 7 percent over the last decade, according to newly released data from the Department for Transport.
It estimates In 2023, 260 individuals lost their lives in traffic accidents involving drivers who had exceeded the legal blood alcohol concentration level.
Although this marks a 14 percent decrease compared to the prior 12 months, it remains greater than deaths associated with drunk driving in 2013.
The statistics indicate that 16 percent of traffic fatalities in 2023 were linked to alcohol-impaired driving.
These updated figures arrive alongside recent developments that The Labour party is looking into implementing European Union regulations. Regarding car safety measures, this would require every model sold in Britain to have components that allow for the fitting of in-vehicle breathalyzers.
This could enable 'alcolock' breathalyzers to be installed in vehicles owned by individuals found guilty of drunk driving, as mandated by courts. These devices stop the vehicle’s engine from starting unless the driver provides a legally acceptable breath sample.
According to the DfT's data, 5 percent of injuries across all levels of severity in 2023 were linked to alcohol-related accidents.
Nevertheless, the specifics differ from one country to another.
Although the 5 percent rate remains the same in both England and Scotland — with Scotland enforcing more stringent alcohol-related driving laws — the average is greater in Wales (7 percent).
The report stated, 'Generally, the percentage of accidents with a drunk driver has been greater in Wales during the last ten years.'
In 2023, 124 individuals lost their lives as a result of drug-related driving incidents, according to reports, an increase from 90 deaths recorded in 2022.
Data released by the department also shows a higher rate of alcohol-related accidents happening during nighttime and early morning hours, with a peak of 8 percent recorded between 11 pm and midnight.
The smallest percentage of alcohol-related accidents happened from 11 am to noon, at 1 percent.
The information further shows that male drivers are disproportionately involved in alcohol-related accidents.
Most drivers who are part of road accident incidents are males, and a larger percentage of those driving under the influence are also male.
In 2023, 80.6% of individuals who drove under the influence of alcohol were men.
Nevertheless, men accounted for just 69.3 percent of drivers (not including cyclists and equestrians) involved in every collision where the driver's gender is recorded.
Road safety representative Rod Dennis described the statistics as "alarming" and mentioned a "scary loss of life" occurring on British roads.
"It's completely intolerable that approximately 260 individuals die each year due to drunk drivers," he stated.
The percentage of road accidents caused by drunk driving continues to be comparable to levels seen in the late 1980s. Additionally, drugs are becoming a more significant factor in traffic fatalities, contributing to a new high in deadly crashes.
A fresh method for addressing these abhorrent offenses is urgently required. We anticipate that this will serve as an important component of the Government's upcoming road safety plan.
Jack Cousens, director of road policies at The AA, stated: "Although fatal cases involving drunk driving decreased by 14 percent from 2022 to 2023, incidents related to drug-driving increased by 38% over the same timeframe."
This is genuinely surprising, and further action must be taken to prevent individuals from driving under the influence." "This is deeply alarming, and additional measures are necessary to halt people from operating vehicles while intoxicated." "It's incredibly disturbing, and greater efforts are required to stop individuals from driving when they're not fit to do so." "This is extremely unsettling, and more should be done to prevent people from taking the wheel while impaired." "Such an outcome is truly shocking, and increased steps are needed to ensure people aren’t driving while under the influence.
Greater awareness through educational programs, roadside assessments, and strict enforcement are essential to convey that operating a vehicle while intoxicated will not be accepted.
Nicholas Lyes, who leads policy and standards at the road safety organization IAM RoadSmart, states that the UK has now become trapped in a perilous cycle where we can't lower the number of fatalities on our highways.
"We need to increase our focus on enforcement, equipping law enforcement with the essential resources to combat drunk driving, while examining our strategies for dealing with both initial and habitual offenders," he said.
In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the legal limit for alcohol content in the bloodstream is 80 milligrams per 100 milliliters of blood.
No place else in Europe exceeds 50mg/100ml.
In 2014, the Scottish Government lowered its threshold to this amount.
A report from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, which was accessed by the PA news agency, showed that 27,837 drivers from Britain received repeated convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol within an 11-year period ending on 20 July 2024.
Approximately 372 individuals were apprehended at least four times, with four of them facing prosecution on seven separate instances.
Matt Pernet, director of Direct Line Motor Insurance, states that a new survey they carried out revealed that 82 percent of individuals were unable to accurately identify the legal drinking and driving threshold.
"Using individual judgment, past encounters, or common misconceptions—such as believing that consuming water or food can reduce the impact of alcohol—poses a serious danger for every driver," he stated.
Drinking alcohol impacts each person uniquely, and there's no dependable method to determine your ability to drive legally without undergoing a breathalyzer test. Still, being within the legal limit doesn’t always equate to being safe.
An alcohol breath test was conducted on 97 individuals in Glasgow, Northampton, and Cardiff who had recently drunk alcohol.
More than a quarter were anticipated to remain below the legal limit when tested, yet nearly two-fifths (43 percent) had readings at or exceeding it.
Out of the 97 individuals involved, none were able to correctly explain the present legal boundaries for drunk driving; however, nearly four out of every ten stated they would use their personal judgment and physical sensations to determine if they were fit to operate a vehicle.
Labor is exploring European vehicle safety technology – including breathalyzer integration
The report emerges at a time when Labour is reportedly planning to align with European regulations, requiring all newly manufactured vehicles to come equipped with various safety technologies, such as devices similar to aircraft flight recorders and systems that allow for the installation of breathalizers.
The government led by Sir Keir Starmer and the UK's automotive industry association claim that variations in vehicle production between Britain and Europe could result in increased expenses for consumers.
However, opponents claim that the Prime Minister would be disregarding the country's right to establish its own rules as part of the Brexit process.
Lord Hendy, the Minister of State at the Department for Transport, mentioned recently in Parliament that the government maintains a clear preference for harmonization when it comes to vehicle production.
He mentioned that the government is "evaluating possibilities for making the installation of safety technologies required under the EU’s overall safety regulations mandatory."
The GRS2 rules were implemented across three stages within the European Union, starting in July 2022.
Among the 19 required features that must be included in new cars sold in Europe starting 7 July 2024 are automatic speed limiters, alerts for driver fatigue, emergency lane keeping systems, and "Alcohol Interlock Installation Facilitation" – known as AIIF. This will enable the installation of after-market alcohol monitoring devices in vehicles.
Alcolocks are currently being utilized in Finland, Belgium, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and numerous regions across the United States.
A recent poll found 53 percent of motorists would back mandatory breath tests ordered by courts installed in vehicles belonging to drivers who have been convicted of drinking and driving in Britain.
The RAC's Rod Dennis stated, 'We have continuously advocated for a shift in strategy regarding the reduction of alcohol-related traffic fatalities, since it's evident that the current methods aren't effective.'
According to RAC studies, motorists back the idea of courts having authority to require the installation of alcohol ignition locks on offenders' cars to stop them from driving under the influence once more. This approach could help decrease incidents related to drinking and driving, particularly for repeat offenders.
Since 2022, we have encouraged the government to explore making it mandatory for all new vehicles to include features that facilitate the installation of alcohol locks.
'We also back granting law enforcement the authority to instantly revoke the driving privileges of anyone who tests positive for alcohol or drug use during a roadside examination.'
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