Drink-drivers 'remains on roads'

27/10/11

By Steven Birch

There are hundreds of convicted drink-drivers still using Britain's roads, it has been revealed.

Following a freedom of information request, insurance firm LV= discovered that 1,480 motorists out of the 55,539 who were convicted of drink-driving last year were not disqualified from motoring.

The figures show that London and Suffolk are the areas most likely to have convicted drivers still on the roads, as 4.7 per cent managed to avoid disqualification.

Some road users might find it a little worrying that this is the case as 2.6 per cent of drink-drivers will re-offend within a year of being caught the first time around.

A survey completed by the insurer reveals that 65 per cent of respondents know someone who is happy to drive after drinking alcohol, while just under a quarter know someone who drives after drinking beyond the legal limit.

The West Midlands was highlighted as a particular danger area, where 36 per cent of people know drivers who drink above the alcohol limit before getting behind the wheel.

This compares with just 22 per cent of people in the North West.