Drink-driving deaths at record high and we need to push for motoring law changes - analysis by John Kushnick

Statistics released by the Department for Transport show that in 2022, there were 300 deaths in Great Britain where at least one driver was over the limit.

Of all road deaths in 2022, nearly one-fifth (18 per cent) were made up of drink-drive fatalities.

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Accidents are often caused by people who are aware they’re not in a fit state to drive but take the chance anyway.

It is also the case that drivers overestimate how much they can drink before going over the drink-driving limit.

The usual list of solutions such as stricter law enforcement, more robust implementation and better awareness of the rules in place can be added to the BMA’s suggestion of reducing the limit from 80mg to 50mg per 100ml of blood, the equivalent of a small drink.

The BMA has also made the very sensible recommendation that this should be lower for new and commercial drivers, just 20mg.

Many alternatives are on offer now such as zero per cent, 0.5 per cent beers and alcohol-free Prosecco.

This should mean that drivers don’t have to feel like they are missing out and can still enjoy a social drink.

Banning any alcohol in the bloodstream wouldn’t make sense, and likely wouldn’t have the desired impact.

All laws require public acceptance and that can only be achieved with a sense of fairness. While people should strive to drive without having consumed any alcohol, a middle ground where drivers aren’t punished for low variances would garner the best results.

That’s why we wholly support The British Medical Association’s intent to lobby the new Government to change the limit.

We’re already seeing countries such as Ireland and Greece take an approach to reducing their limits and there’s no reason the UK should not be following suit.

Furthermore, these fatalities are part of a bigger issue concerning road safety in the UK. Ultimately, our roads are dangerous and when a fatality does happen, it has huge and devastating impacts on families, communities and workplaces.

With a new Government, there’s ample opportunity to make a real difference when it comes to reforming road safety.

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However, instead of focusing solely on speed, investing in infrastructure improvements, public transportation, and promoting safer driving habits would be more beneficial for overall road safety and efficiency.

We need to push for change, to ensure no more lives are taken on our roads.

John Kushnick, Legal Operations Director at National Accident Helpline