IAM calls for greater focus on intelligence led drink drive enforcement

There should be greater use of intelligence-led policing to catch drink drivers who repeatedly and excessively flout the law, according to road safety charity Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM). The call from the IAM comes as new figures published by the Department for Transport show the number of fatal accidents involving drink drivers last year falling by five per cent, from 220 in 2011 to 210 in 2012. In the same period, the number of people killed in drink drive accidents decreased by four per cent,
August 8, 2014 Read time: 2 mins

There should be greater use of intelligence-led policing to catch drink drivers who repeatedly and excessively flout the law, according to road safety charity 6187 Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM).

The call from the IAM comes as new figures published by the Department for Transport show the number of fatal accidents involving drink drivers last year falling by five per cent, from 220 in 2011 to 210 in 2012. In the same period, the number of people killed in drink drive accidents decreased by four per cent, from 240 per cent to 230 per cent. The fall follows a year where the number of fatal accidents and killed casualties remained static over 2010.

IAM director of policy and research Neil Greig said: “No doubt the lack of progress in reducing drink drive related deaths will once again spark debate on lowering the limit.

“A new limit will reinforce the message that drink driving is anti-social but it is not clear how it will impact on those who ignore the current limit and who are responsible for the most serious crashes.  Intelligence led policing targeting the criminal minority does seem to be delivering and must be enhanced in the future.

“Reducing the limit further may give people a reassurance, but for some that won’t stop them. Knowing there is a greater chance of getting caught, that the police are specifically targeting the persistent few and there is no hiding place for them, is the real answer to taking the long-term risk takers off the roads for good.”

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • IAM dismayed at political parties for not tackling road death initiatives
    April 24, 2015
    The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has reacted with dismay at the lack of priority given to cutting deaths on UK roads by the main political parties in their election manifestos. Despite road accidents being the leading cause of death for males and females between five and 19, and the third leading cause of death for both males and females aged 20-34 in England and Wales, no party has published any long or short-term initiatives to tackle such a significant cause of death amongst young people.
    Read More
  • France targets speeding drivers
    February 28, 2013
    The first of three hundred cars carrying speed camera systems are due to start operations on France’s roads on 15 March in around twenty regions. Installed in an ordinary-looking Renault Megane is a new-generation speed camera built into the dashboard with a vehicle detector radar behind the licence plate. Each is capable of detecting speeding vehicles and photographing them, without flash, while on the move at motorway speeds. Although unmarked cars are used, the officers driving them will still be in uni
    Read More
  • UN chief highlights road safety
    November 21, 2012
    UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has highlighted the importance of road safety in preventing more than one million people from dying and many more from getting injured each year in traffic accidents. “This year, the world's roads have claimed some 1.2 million lives,” Mr. Ban said in his message marking World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. “Added to the fatalities are the more than 50 million people injured each year – many of them now condemned to enduring physical disabilities and psychologic
    Read More
  • Drivers ‘need reassurance on safety, cybercrime and terrorism if truck platoons are to deliver’
    August 29, 2017
    Commenting on the UK Department of Transport announcement regarding trialling of platoons of self-driving lorries on England's motorways, independent road safety charity is advising there must be more reassurances on issues such as cyber attacks as well as basic road safety needs such as telling other drivers which trucks are in the platoon. The trial, due for 2018, will see up to three lorries travel in automated convoys which will be controlled by a driver in the lead vehicle in a bid to cut congestion an
    Read More

Highlighted Content