New figures obtained by IAM RoadSmart from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency show that an average of 99 drivers per day were caught drink-driving in Britain between 2022 and 2024, equating to 108,000 drink-drive endorsements on licences. The charity says the data underline the need for a shift in mindset among motorists.

Age breakdown shows 48,000 offences were recorded for 25-39-year-olds, 40,000 for 40-65-year-olds, and 15,000 for 17-24-year-olds. Just 3,000 drivers aged 65 and over were convicted during the same period. The figures were obtained in response to a Freedom of Information request.

IAM RoadSmart estimates the cost to an individual in a job that requires driving could be up to £80,000, taking account of lost earnings, legal fees, higher insurance and fines. Drivers convicted of drink-driving typically lose their licence for at least 12 months; some may receive a reduced ban after completing a rehabilitation course, and fines and possible imprisonment apply. Nicholas Lyes, IAM RoadSmart’s director of policy and standards, said: “Drink-driving is a dangerously reckless act that puts other people’s lives at risk. The fact that there were 1,860 killed or seriously injured in a drink-drive related collision in 2023 – the equivalent of five people a day – should be sufficient deterrent.” He added that a shift in mindset is needed and that lowering the limit and boosting enforcement could help.

Department for Transport figures show 260 people were killed or seriously injured in 2023 in crashes involving at least one driver above the legal alcohol limit, with around 1,600 seriously injured. Ministers are considering cutting the drink-drive limit in England and Wales from 35 to 22 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, with Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander potentially leading the change. This would align with Scotland, which reduced its limit in 2014, and with much of Europe where no other country has a higher limit than England and Wales. A DfT spokesperson said: “We want all road users to travel safely, and there are already strict penalties in place for those who are caught drink-driving. We are committed to improving road safety, and our well-established Think! campaign is designed to reduce the number of those killed and injured on our roads, particularly targeting young men.” “Road safety measures have not been reviewed for over a decade, and we will set out the next steps for our strategy for road safety in due course.”