Almost 100 drivers a day caught drink-driving over last three years

According to road safety charity IAM RoadSmart, nearly 100 drivers in Britain have had drink-drive endorsements added to their licences in the past three years.

Alarmingly, individuals aged 25 to 39 are the most frequently penalised for drink-driving.

In fact, around 48,000 drivers in this age bracket have received endorsements, followed closely by 40,000 drivers aged 40 to 65.

In contrast, only 15,000 drivers aged 17 to 24 were penalised, and a mere 3,000 over-65s received points on their licence between 2022 and 2024, according to data obtained from the DVLA via a Freedom of Information request.

Drivers caught over the limit face automatic licence revocation, potential imprisonment, and unlimited fines.

Also, the DR20 endorsement for drink-driving remains on a driving licence for 11 years, and a repeat offence within a decade triggers a longer disqualification period.

Research by IAM RoadSmart estimates the total financial burden of a drink-driving conviction could reach £80,000.

This figure includes a loss of income, legal fees, driving fines, alternate transport cost, and increased insurance costs in the future.

Shockingly, it also marks an increase of 15% compared to their findings five years ago.

Tragically, fatalities linked to drink-driving have climbed over the past decade, peaking in 2022 at the highest level in 13 years. This trend has raised alarms about the effectiveness of current road safety measures.