Skip advert
Advertisement

Government urged to introduce alcolocks for cars

Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety says drivers should have to give a negative alcohol reading before being able to drive

Alcohol interlock system

The Government has been urged to introduce alcolocks - which prevents a car from being started until the driver has blown into a breath-testing instrument to show they’re sober - as soon as possible.

A report by the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS), which received contributions from expert groups such as IAM Roadsmart, says alcolocks would have a positive impact on road safety in the UK.

There have been around 240 deaths per year involving a drink-driver in Great Britain since 2010, with no recent progress having been made in reducing this number. An IAM Roadsmart survey of 2,000 drivers showed 90 per cent of respondents supported the idea of all new cars being fitted with alcolocks.

Advertisement - Article continues below

All new cars sold in Europe will have to be alcolock-enabled from next year, but the UK Government has to make a decision on how this technology will be used. IAM Roadsmart has previously suggested alcolocks could be useful in reforming motorists who have previously committed drink-driving offences.

Further previous research by the road safety organisation showed the personal financial cost of being found guilty of drink-driving is as much as £70,000 when legal fees, higher car insurance premiums, alternative transport costs and potential loss of earnings are taken into account.

Neil Greig, director of policy and research at IAM RoadSmart, 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. In the meantime, our message is clear - it must always be ‘None for the Road’.”

Skip advert
Advertisement

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Not bothered by MoT advisories? That may be about to change
Protyre area manager Simon Hall inspecting a Vauxhall Corsa's tyre

Not bothered by MoT advisories? That may be about to change

The number of MoT failures caused by worn tyres is on the rise, and experts are calling for mandatory follow-ups on advisories
News
12 May 2025
Confirmed: New VW Golf GTI will be electric – and it’s a “monster”
VW Golf GTI badge

Confirmed: New VW Golf GTI will be electric – and it’s a “monster”

VW is taking the iconic hot hatchback brand into the electric era with the new Golf GTI EV already in development…
News
13 May 2025
Mazda MX-5 goes electric: the iconic roadster's radical future
Mazda MX-5 EV exclusive image - front

Mazda MX-5 goes electric: the iconic roadster's radical future

The next Mazda MX-5 roadster is set to be offered as a pure EV, and our exclusive images preview how it could look
News
10 May 2025