UK’s drink driving hotspots revealed by DVLA
The UK’s drink driving hotspots have been revealed in a new Freedom of Information request to the DVLA.
According to the new data, Northampton had the highest number of motorists per 10,000 convicted for driving over the limit in 2023.
It found that 687 of the 511,000 registered drivers were convicted of drink driving offences, which equates to 13.4 per 10,000.
Llandudno was second with 13.1 per 10,000, followed by Nottingham (12.3), Sunderland (12.1), Teesside (11.7), and Wakefield (11.7).
Completing the top 10 regions were drink driving was most prominent in 2023 were Durham (11.5), Motherwell (11.5), Newport (11.3), and The Western Isles (11.3).
The findings come after RAC research has revealed growing support for tougher sentences for those caught drink driving, with 38% of drivers backing stricter penalties. A further 34% were in favour of lowering the legal blood-alcohol limit to zero and a third (33%) said police should have the authority to immediately disqualify drink-drivers at the roadside.
Tougher penalties
RAC road safety spokesman Rod Dennis said: “It’s clear motorists want to see something done differently to tackle the scourge of drink-driving which is still responsible for the loss of far too many lives every year.
“Shockingly, government data shows we’re back to a similar rate of fatalities caused by people drinking and driving as we were in the late 1980s and that a significant number of drink-drive offences are committed by reoffenders.
“As well as support for immediate roadside bans and tougher sentences, our research reveals there is considerable backing from drivers for fitting alcolocks which stop someone over the limit from starting a car. Those who have been convicted of drink-driving need to be prevented from being able to reoffend. Enforcement is also key as drivers need to know there is a good chance of being caught if they decide to drive after drinking too much.”
