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.”

Related Content

  • IAM welcomes consultation on strict penalties for mobile use at wheel
    January 27, 2016
    The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has welcomed the Department for Transport’s (DfT) public consultation on stricter penalties for using a hand-held mobile phone whilst driving. The DfT is looking for feedback on proposals for increasing the fixed penalty notice level from £100 to £150 for all drivers. It also invites views on increasing the penalty points from three to four points for non-HGV drivers, and three to six points for those that hold a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) licence and commit t
    Read More
  • Brake calls for action as road casualty figures rise
    February 3, 2017
    Brake, the UK road safety charity, is calling on the government to take action to reduce the numbers killed and seriously injured on Britain’s roads. In recent years road safety policy has been diminished by a lack of interest, urgency and resources, the consequences of which are becoming increasingly apparent as our road casualty figures begin to rise. Brake is calling on the government to act now to uphold its commitment to zero road deaths and injuries on the road. Road casualty figures just released
    Read More
  • VRU safety report urges enforcement
    March 18, 2020
    Enforcement must be at the heart of a drive to reduce vulnerable road user deaths and injuries, says the latest report from the European Transport Safety Council. Its facts and figures give authorities the justification to invest more in camera technology and other ITS solutions
    Read More
  • How British drivers compare in European responsible driving survey
    April 2, 2015
    With 16 million UK motorists set to take to the roads this Easter weekend, a new European survey finds that risky driving habits and failure to respect the rules are on the increase. The annual survey carried out for Vinci Autoroutes Foundation for Responsible Driving by IPSOS examined the behaviour of drivers from ten European countries. Each year, this survey draws up an inventory of driving practices and trends, allowing closer targeting of methods to prevent irresponsible driving and promote safer ro
    Read More

Highlighted Content