Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs remains one of the most preventable yet devastating causes of road deaths in the UK. With alcohol and drug-related collisions claiming hundreds of lives each year, urgent action is needed to address this crisis. Beyond the tragic loss of life, the consequences weigh heavily on families, emergency services, the NHS, and the economy. It’s time for comprehensive measures to create safer roads and healthier communities.

The Unseen Toll of Driving Under the Influence

Alcohol and drugs have long been significant contributors to road injuries and fatalities in the UK. Yet, despite increased awareness, the numbers remain alarming. Government reports reveal that “deaths due to drinking and driving on UK roads have increased to 300 annually, a 13-year high, according to newly published government data.” (Source: The Guardian). This statistic highlights a disturbing backward trend, with drink-drive fatalities accounting for about 18% of all road deaths.

Similarly, drug driving continues to pose a major safety issue. According to RoSPA, “drug impairment (from both legal and illegal drugs) contributes to around 90 fatal road crashes in Great Britain every year. In 2022, a driver or rider being impaired by illegal or medicinal drugs resulted in 2,715 people being injured, with 97 fatalities.” (Source: RoSPA). These substances impair judgement, slow reaction times, and reduce motor skills—factors critical when operating a vehicle. The result is avoidable collisions that devastate lives.

Stronger Limits to Save Lives

One of the most effective measures to address drink and drug-driving is lowering legal limits for drivers. Current legal blood alcohol content (BAC) levels in the UK are inadequate and fail to reflect the serious risks posed by even small amounts of alcohol in the bloodstream. Lowering the BAC limit to 20mg/100ml for new and commercial drivers and to 50mg/100ml for others—with the ambition to reduce it to 20mg/100ml for everyone—would send a clear message that any consumption of alcohol and driving is incompatible.

Combined with strict drug-driving limits, these measures could create an environment where road safety becomes a priority over risky behaviour.

Turning Policy into Action

For lower BAC and drug-driving limits to be effective, they must be backed by robust enforcement and public awareness campaigns. Testing capabilities need to be enhanced for police officers, with priority given to identifying poly-drug use. Driving safety courses and, when necessary, referral to appropriate programmes should be mandatory for those caught driving under the influence.

Public education is another critical step. Clear, consistent messaging about the dangers of alcohol and drugs when driving can help shift societal attitudes. Mandatory labelling of alcohol products to include health risks, calorie content, and statements about driving risks is essential. When the public understands there is no safe level of drinking before driving, behaviour may finally begin to change.

Building Healthcare Capacity

The impact of alcohol and drugs extends past the roads. Treatment services across the UK are overwhelmed, and increased capacity is vital to address this issue effectively. Dedicated funding for NHS services would enable the recruitment of specialists and equip healthcare workers to refer individuals to the help they need.

Likewise, increased funding for A&E departments would ensure injuries linked to alcohol and drug use receive prompt and comprehensive care. Prevention begins with proper intervention, and timely access to support services can help break destructive cycles of substance use.

Prevention Over Punishment

While penalties remain a necessary deterrent for driving under the influence, the success of any policy lies in prevention. Media campaigns tailored to highlight the risks of driving while impaired, coupled with clear labelling on all alcohol products, can create lasting societal change. Stricter advertising regulations to remove positive portrayals of alcohol in relation to lifestyle or driving could also help reframe cultural perceptions.

Communities must unite behind the premise that driving under the influence is entirely preventable. By prioritising interventions and education, we can create an environment where safer choices become the norm.

Shaping a Safer Future

Making UK roads safer means taking clear steps like lowering drink-drive limits, improving law enforcement, offering better treatment services, and raising awareness through education. These changes aren’t just about reducing numbers—they’re about protecting people’s lives, keeping families safe, and easing the harm caused by alcohol and drugs.

If we all do our part, we can create a future where no one has to suffer because of drink or drug-driving. It’s a big goal, but it can start with the small actions we take right now.

Source: BMA