An expert report released today is urging the government to introduce a new alcolock programme in an effort to combat drink-driving.
The Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS) report – contributed to by road safety charity IAM RoadSmart – showcases how alcolocks would have a positive impact on road safety.
Alcolocks require drivers to blow into breath-testing equipment that is linked to their car’s ignition system. If a driver is over the limit, then the car won’t start.
Neil Greig, IAM RoadSmart director of policy and research said: “Worldwide, integrating technology such as alcolocks with rehabilitation courses has been shown to be the most effective way to stop drink-drive reoffending and reduce crashes.
“The evidence is clear. Nearly all motorists want new cars fitted with alcolocks to help stop the daily carnage on UK roads from drink driving and this latest PACTS report is even further endorsement.”
Since 2010, there have been around 240 deaths a year in the UK involving a driver over the legal drink driving limit. In contrast to the previous decade, no progress has been made in reducing these numbers.
Research conducted recently by IAM Roadsmart of 2,000 motorists revealed overwhelming support for alcolocks, with 90 per cent of respondents supporting that all new cars should have the technology fitted to ensure that drivers who are over the limit cannot get behind the wheel.
From 2022, all new cars sold in Europe will be ‘alcolock enabled’, but it is up to governments to decide how they will be used.
