MPs urged to back new alcolock proposals

British drivers have overwhelmingly backed calls from Privilege Insurance for the government to introduce stronger drink-drive laws as part of the Road Safety Bill which enters the final stages of the legislative process today.[1] 

According to research, almost two-thirds (61 per cent) of drivers believe sentences for convicted drink drivers should be tougher. 

Under a Privilege proposal recently submitted to MPs backed by over half (55 per cent) of all drivers surveyed, the fitting of a breath testing device - or Alcohol Ignition Lock (AIL) - to the ignition of a convicted drink driver’s vehicle would be compulsory for a minimum of six months following the completion of a ban for drink driving.

As it stands the Road Safety Bill provides for the future use of the ‘alcolock’ system, but would only give Courts the power to allow drink-drive offenders to drive during the latter part of their disqualification period (where it is over a year long) if they pay for the fitting of an ‘alcolock.’ 

But the Government’s current proposal is supported by just a fifth of motorists and Privilege – backed by safe drivers especially – believe the Road Safety Bill should be strengthened even further.

The research backs up Privilege’s claims that such measures would discourage drink driving on the nation’s roads.  Almost a quarter (24 per cent) of all motorists believe that the threat of having an ‘alcolock’ fitted to their vehicle would prevent them from drink driving.  This would lead to almost two million fewer drink drivers on the roads and result in a decline of over 20,000 convictions for drink driving. [2]

The tough stance on drink driving attracts particular support among safer drivers.  Fifty six per cent of those with four or more years’ no claims discount back Privilege’s ‘alcolock’ scheme, compared to just 46 per cent of those who have made a claim on their insurance within the last four years. 

According to the research it is women, the over 50s and those from the North East who are more likely to call for tougher measures for convicted drink drivers, while drivers in Wales are least likely to support tougher penalties.

Kaye Syred, Marketing and Commercial Director of Privilege Insurance, commented:
“The driving public are sending a clear message to the Government – toughen up the penalties for drink drivers.  One fifth of all motorists convicted for drink driving every year are re-offenders and these should be the easiest to remove from the roads.

“We would like to see the fitting of an ‘alcolock’ made compulsory for drink drive offenders.  It should not be used as a fast-track route back onto the roads for disqualified drivers, as the Government currently proposes, but instead used as a tool to check the alarming rate of re-offending.

“We believe that if the Government wants to send a strong message to drink drivers then it should legislate so that there are tougher penalties for those convicted of drink driving – our research provides the evidence MPs need to make a stand on this issue and I would urge all drivers to contact their representatives to campaign for their support for our proposal.”

Robert Gifford, Executive Director of the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS), said:
“Drinking and driving remains a significant cause of death on our roads.  In 2005, an estimated 560 people died in crashes where one or other driver was over the legal limit, so I welcome this move by Privilege to help give drinking and driving a higher profile.  The provision of alcolocks would certainly help cut the reoffending rate for convicted drink drivers.”

Privilege research has revealed that over 7 million Brits (23 per cent of drivers) could be getting behind the wheel regularly under the influence.  One in twenty (4 per cent) admit they have driven after drinking over 10 units of alcohol - which equates to over five pints of beer.[3]

[1] YouGov interviewed 2,342 drivers online between 25th to 27th April 2006.  Results were weighted to be representative of the GB population.

[2] Based on a driving population of 32,024,203, 23 per cent have driven under the influence (7,365,597).  A 24 per cent reduction in this figure would give a drink drive population of 5,597,831 – a reduction of 1,767,736

[3] YouGov interviewed 1936 people online between 8th to 10th March 2005. Results were weighted to be representative of the GB population. According to the National Office of statistics, the GB population over 17 is 46,411,889.  From our questionnaire, 69 per cent drive a car, van or lorry on the roads, giving a driving population of 32,024,203.