The RAC has revealed that drivers overwhelmingly support the introduction of new road safety rules, which will prevent motorists with drink-driving convictions from turning on their ignition. A new poll conducted by the road safety group found that a whopping 82% of drivers support the introduction of alcohol interlock devices in cars.
Interlocks are clever tools which require motorists to breathe into a device, with the air analysed for any traces of alcohol. If the tool detects any alcohol, the ignition cannot be started, ensuring previous drink-driving offenders cannot travel if they may be a risk. A survey of 2,395 adults, conducted between April 4 and 21, found that 7% were opposed to the system, with 12% unsure.
RAC road safety spokesperson Rod Dennis said: “With levels of drink-driving still alarmingly high, drivers are very keen for something different to be done to tackle the problem.
“Drinking and driving might be seen as socially unacceptable by the majority, but it’s clear that a small proportion of people are still doing it and putting the lives of themselves and others at serious risk.”
Interlocking tools, also known as ‘alcolocks’, have already been introduced in many European countries, such as Belgium and the Netherlands. Meanwhile, Australia, New Zealand and the United States have also adopted the technology, proving the UK could follow suit.
Drink driving is a serious issue on UK roads, with Government data showing there was a 7% increase in drink-driving fatalities in the past 10 years. According to the Department for Transport (DfT), an estimated 260 people were killed in 2023 as a result of accidents involving road users over the legal alcohol limit.
The RAC’s latest survey found that 71% of those polled think every driver caught above the legal alcohol limit should have an interlock device fitted.
However, a further 23% believed that only repeat drink-drivers caught on at least one previous occasion should have the tool installed.
Rod added: “Alcolocks are already in widespread use in other parts of the world and have the potential here in the UK to reduce the number of alcohol-related collisions and casualties, and the costs associated with them.
“The fact a huge majority of drivers support the use of alcolocks sends a clear message that they want to see more being done to tackle drink-driving, something the Government will hopefully address in its soon-to-be-published Road Safety Strategy.”
