Call for alcohol locks to control drink driving

The continuing failure of expensive drink driving campaigns and the limited number of traffic police patrols breathalysing motorists has led to road safety champion GEM Motoring Assist (GEM) to call for all new cars to be fitted with alcohol locks that mean a driver who has been drinking will not be able to start his or her vehicle.

“There are certain groups of hard-core drinkers who seem to believe they are above the law and continue to drink and drive,” said GEM chief executive David Williams. “While we know there is a problem with young male drivers, mature and middle aged motorists regularly commit this serious offence and unfortunately there is also an increase in women who drink and then drive.”

He said that while GEM welcomed the news that the government is to consider reducing the current limit of 80 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood to 50, without the means of enforcing the law injury and death caused by drunken driving would continue. “The number of breath tests carried out is actually dropping,” said David. “The police clearly do not have the resources to combat the problem. We are on the threshold of another summer advertising campaign – but where are the traffic police to support the message on the ground?” He said that if persuasion did not work lateral thinking would have to be applied to the problem and fitting the latest and very efficient ignition alcohol locks would control access and manage risk.

David said: “Apart from insisting all newly registered vehicles are fitted with such a device anyone successfully prosecuted for drink driving should have to have an Alco lock retro-fitted to their vehicle before getting their licence back. Obviously a price would have to be paid but this is insignificant in comparison to the misery of injury, death and hospital care.”

GEM, formerly known as the Guild of Experienced Motorists, was founded 75 years ago and for decades has worked for the safety of all road users. Its road safety charity, supported by 65,000 members, produces free literature, grants aid research and road safety events and honours those that work for a safer environment.