Drink driver numbers 'still too high'

The number of Britons risking a car insurance claim through drink driving is still too high, an organisation has warned.

According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), while drink drivers decreased in number by 16.51 per cent over the festive period, the number is too high, with 7,638 motorists arrested after breath tests.

Figures from the Association of Chief Police Officers recently showed that 21.82 per cent more breath tests were conducted in the month-long crackdown on drink drivers, with three per cent of drivers found to be putting more at risk than a car or van insurance claim by being over the limit.

Kevin Clinton, RoSPA head of road safety, said: "The Christmas figures once again show action is needed to change the behaviour of a stubborn minority who continue to drink and drive despite years of education and enforcement campaigns."

The organisation commented it will be participating in a government commissioned review of drink-driving and drug-driving laws.

It added that for years it has requested the legal blood alcohol limit be reduced to 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, down from 80mg.

"Drink-driving is simply not worth the risk. A little bit of forethought, like planning how you are going to get home, is all that is needed so you do not get behind the wheel after drinking alcohol," Mr Clinton added.

A recent poll by What Car? highlighted more than 50 per cent of motorists get behind the wheel after a big night of drinking, while six per cent admitted to regularly drink driving.

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The views expressed within the article are entirely those of Adfero Ltd and are not those of the BGL Group