UK Drivers Call for Tougher Drink-Driving Penalties

A recent RAC survey reveals that nearly 40% of motorists advocate for tougher sentences to combat drink-driving, which was linked to approximately 300 fatalities in 2022. The survey highlighted that 34% support reducing the legal blood-alcohol limit to zero, while 33% favor granting police the authority to impose immediate roadside disqualifications. Currently, bans can only be enforced by courts, allowing offenders to continue driving until their hearing. Road safety experts, including Chief Constable Jo Shiner, emphasize the urgent need for a revised approach, citing a concerning resurgence in drink-driving fatalities reminiscent of the late 1980s. Additionally, figures indicate that nearly 28,000 individuals have been caught drink-driving multiple times, reinforcing calls for measures like alcohol interlocks for repeat offenders. The RAC hopes that these issues will be addressed in the upcoming government road safety strategy.