New figures from the Department for Transport have revealed that deaths caused by drink driving in the UK have reached their highest levels since 2009.
The latest report shows that between 240 and 280 people were killed in the UK during 2021 due to a driver being over the legal limit.
Bryn Brooker, the head of road safety for the dashcam manufacturer Nextbase, reacted to the figures and explained the devastating impact that drink driving can have.
He said: “This spike in road deaths where one of the drivers was over the alcohol limit is seriously concerning. Every death on the road is one too many.
“Every one of those approximately 260 deaths attributable in part to alcohol will have left a family devastated, and this is simply not good enough.”
Overall, there were 4,660 collisions due to drink driving during 2021, an increase of one percent compared to 2020 figures.
The report also noted that five percent of road casualties reported across the UK during 2021 were due to drink driving, with Wales having the highest amount at 7.3 percent and Scotland recording the lowest at 4.1 percent.
The statistics also highlighted that 79 percent of motorists who were involved in drink driving collisions in 2021 were male, whilst 63.5 percent were caused by those aged between 25 and 59.
Bryn explained that, whilst many new cars feature forms of driver assistance technology, motorists must remain sober whenever they are behind the wheel.
He added: “Our cars are getting safer and smarter, but older advice still applies. Don’t even think about getting behind the wheel after a few drinks.
“It’s never ever worth it, no matter how well you know the trip or how short it is. And if you see dangerous driving around you from others, a dash cam will help you record it and get evidence to the police as soon as possible.”
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland the current drink driving limit is 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, the equivalent of 1.8 pints of beer for men or 1.3 pints of beer for women.
Scottish law states that blood alcohol levels should not exceed 50 milligrams per 100 millilitres, the equivalent of about one pint of beer for men and women.
Whilst drink driving can lead to a six-month prison sentence, an unlimited fine and a driving ban of at least one year, current law also prohibits any motorist who is over the limit from being left alone in a car.
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