More than eight in 10 UK motorists believe tougher action is needed to tackle drink-driving, according to new research from the RAC.

Official figures show alcohol-related road deaths have reached their highest level since 2009.

Strong spirits

The RAC’s 2025 Report on Motoring found that 82% of drivers support stronger measures to curb drink-driving.

This follows the publication of government data showing drink-drive fatalities now account for 18% of all road deaths.

An estimated 260 to 300 people are killed every year by drivers over the legal alcohol limit, with deaths rising 7% over the past decade.

Despite the scale of the problem, awareness remains low.

The RAC survey found that 68% of drivers calling for tougher action were unaware of how many casualties were involved in illegal alcohol levels.

When presented with the statistics, a further 14% said they would support stricter penalties or legislation, indicating that public backing for more vigorous enforcement increases sharply once the impact is understood.

 

 

Youthful enthusiasm

Support for tougher measures is strongest among younger drivers.

Almost 88% of under-25s said more needed to be done, followed closely by those aged 25 to 44 (85%).

Support remains high among 45- to 64-year-olds (82%), then falls slightly to 77% among drivers aged over 65.

Ironically, these younger age groups are also those most likely to admit to breaking drink-driving laws.

The RAC found that 7% of drivers believe they have driven over the limit on the same night they consumed alcohol, while 5% admitted doing so the morning after.

Both figures are the highest since 2019 and represent an increase on 2024, when a combined 10% admitted driving while over the limit.

Walk the walk

Among under-25s, the figures are particularly stark.

Nearly one in five (18%) say they have driven while over the limit on the same night they drank, up from 15% last year.

In the 25-to-44 age group, the figure has risen sharply from 8% in 2024 to 14% in 2025, suggesting risky attitudes are becoming more widespread.

Concern is also growing among passengers.

The number of people who say they know or suspect they have been in a car driven by someone over the limit has doubled in a year, rising from 8% in 2024 to 16% this year.

Among under-25s, the figure jumps to 40%, up from 28%, while 31% of 25-to-44-year-olds say the same, more than double last year’s figure.

 

Locked in

RAC road safety spokesperson Rod Dennis said the findings send a clear message to ministers ahead of the publication of the Government’s first Road Safety Strategy in more than a decade.

“It’s unacceptable that around 260 lives are lost every year to an entirely preventable crime,” he said. “The long-term trend shows we’re heading in the wrong direction.”

The RAC is calling for courts to be given the power to mandate alcohol interlocks, or ‘alcolocks’, for repeat and high-risk offenders.

These devices prevent a vehicle from starting unless the driver provides a negative breath test.

It’s an idea that has overwhelming public support, with 82% of drivers backing their use.

The RAC is a founding supporter of the Lock Out Drink-Driving campaign, which is urging the Government to introduce a mandatory alcolock programme.

Chris Webb, MP for Blackpool South, said the technology could save lives, adding: “There is no excuse for repeat drink-drivers to continue putting others at risk. Road safety must be a national priority.”