Drink-driving remains a serious road safety problem. New data shows thousands of motorists continue to flout the law, with some repeatedly putting lives at risk.
More than 8,000 drivers were caught drink-driving twice over a five-year period, data from the DVLA shows.
A Freedom of Information request by the Press Association revealed that 219,008 people were caught drink-driving once between 2011 and 2015. Two drivers were caught six times.
The AA described the figures as “astonishing” and called for a review of the process that allows banned drivers to regain their licences.
Edmund King, president of the AA, said:
"The fact that over 8,000 drivers were caught twice in five years is particularly alarming, as these individuals should have been off the road for at least a year. It may be time to reassess the medical checks and rehabilitation courses required before licences are returned."
Drivers caught drink-driving face a ban of at least one year, an unlimited fine, and in serious cases, up to six months in prison. Some offenders can attend rehabilitation courses, which may reduce the length of their ban.
Where drink-driving is most common
Official figures also reveal the towns with the highest rates of drink-driving convictions:
- Northampton tops the list, with 13.4 convictions per 10,000 licence holders in 2023.
- Other hotspots include Llandudno, Nottingham, Sunderland, Teesside, Wakefield, Durham, Motherwell, Newport and the Western Isles.
- Regionally, North East England and Wales see the highest proportions of offenders, while Greater London and Scotland are lower.
Despite these measures, the worst offenders continue to drive while over the limit - one driver even recorded a blood alcohol reading six-and-a-half times the legal limit in 2024, described as “potentially fatal.”
What’s changing:
To tackle repeat offending, the Government is consulting on key reforms:
- Lowering the legal drink-drive limit in England and Wales from 35 to 22 micrograms per 100ml of breath, matching Scotland and most of Europe
- Mandatory alcohol interlocks for drivers with previous convictions, preventing vehicles from starting if alcohol is detected
- Lower limits for newly qualified drivers in their first two years
- Stricter penalties and improved roadside testing, including for drug driving
These proposals are part of the Labour Road Safety Strategy and aim to reduce alcohol-related accidents by targeting the drivers and areas most at risk.
