Most drivers want alcolocks fitted into cars of drink drivers, study shows

Four in five drivers want them

If you’re a driver and you've drunk, then alcolocks will prevent your car from starting or you from driving it.

That is, unless you pass a breath test.

Australia, Belgium, Canada, US and the Netherlands are already using alcolocks to punish drink-drivers.

And they’re doing this in exchange of shorter driving bans.

The same could happen to the UK too, as it seems that UK drivers are “very keen for something different to be done”, according to a poll by the RAC.

If you are caught drink-driving in the UK you could lose your licence for at least a year, you could be fined or even face time in prison.

Your driving ban can be reduced if you complete a rehabilitation course, however.

According to the survey, 71% of drivers that support the use of alcolocks agree that drivers caught over the limit should be forced to have one in their car.

On the other hand, 23% think that they should be installed only on repeat offenders.

Younger drivers in the UK seem to be in favour of alcolocks the most, as 87 per cent of those that took part in the survey and want it used are younger than 25 years old and 86% are aged 25-44, while 73% of those in favour are 65 or older.

RAC road safety spokesperson Rod Dennis said that "with levels of drink-driving still alarmingly high, drivers are very keen for something different to be done to tackle the problem”.

Approximately 260 people were killed in crashes with drink drivers in Britain in 2023, according to the latest figures by the UK government, and around 1,600 were seriously injured.