Drink-driving fatalities are on the increase in the UK, according to latest figures from the Department for Transport. It seems surprising, given the long-term change in attitudes to drink-driving, but fatalities in 2022 were at their highest levels since 2009, with alcohol involved in 17% – nearly 1 in 5 – of all road deaths. Overall, the DfT estimates that in 2022 6800 people were killed or injured when at least one driver was over the drink-drive limit, up 1% from 6740 the previous year.

Jim Freeman, Chair of the BMF called for more vigorous prosecution of drivers who are over the limit. “There’s no excuse, this isn’t the 1960s, its generally accepted that no-one rides after drinking alcohol, bikers drink an awful lot of tea! To be honest I’d be just as wary of other impairments like drugs and phones, the research on the effects on mobile users has been extremely concerning, even with fully legal hand free setups. Incapacity through distraction is a major issue, which vehicle manufacturers are complicit in, anyone who thinks that a huge touch screen as the only way to control vehicle systems is a great idea is delusional. ‘Sober but distracted’ isn’t much of an epitaph, is it?”

That was echoed by William Porter of road safety charity IAM RoadSmart: “We strongly support in the increase in frequency of random roadside breathalyser testing and additional resources for police forces to enable them to carry this out.” He added that IAM research showed that motorists thought drink-driving should be the highest priority for traffic police

Written by Peter Henshaw

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