The police have released some shocking statistics revealing that drink driving is on the up for drivers under the age of 25.
In the past year the police have seen a rise of 15% in the number of drivers under 25, either failing a breath test or refusing to take one altogether.
Motoring and road safety campaigners claim the increase has come about as a result of spending cuts from the Government. The anti-drink driving campaigns previously had a budget of £3.4m in 2009/20010, which has dropped significantly this year to a meagre £550k.
The RAC’s Report on Motoring revealed similar results this year, when they found that nearly a quarter of young drivers admitted to driving when they suspected they were over the legal limit. And the report discovered that it wasn’t just younger drivers who are flouting the law. 16% of all drivers owned up to driving when possibly over the limit.
John Franklin, a spokesman for the RAC, has expressed his concern with the latest figures. “The fear is that these figures are showing that the cuts in Government road safety campaigns are causing more drivers to risk driving under the influence”.
Franklin goes on to say the Government should be doing more to highlight the real dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol, to ensure people do not think it is an acceptable course of action.
Spokesperson, Ellen Booth from the road safety group, Brake comments, “These statistics show that a shocking number of drivers are wilfully taking huge risks with their lives and the lives of others. It is vitally important there is an effective deterrent to stop drivers who know the risks involved in drink driving, but decide to do it anyway”.
Looking at the figures from a different angle, show that actually the number of drivers caught drink driving overall, has fallen. Many argue this is because the police are carrying out fewer tests. Road Safety Minister, Mike Penning, claims that the figures simply show that the police are working more efficiently. He claims that the police are now targeting those drivers who are more likely to be driving under the influence. He goes on to explain “It is vital that we spend taxpayers’ money where it can make the most difference. That is why we continue to run Christmas drink drive campaigns targeted at those groups who are most likely to offend”.
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