Nearly 100 motorists a day caught drink-driving in Britain over last three years, analysis shows

Nearly 100 motorists a day in Britain were caught drink-driving on average between 2022 and 2024, according to an analysis of Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) records obtained by road safety charity IAM RoadSmart.

A review of DVLA data shows 108,000 motorists received drink-drive endorsements on their licences during the three-year period — an average of about 99 per day. Drivers aged 25 to 39 accounted for the largest share, with 48,000 endorsements, followed by 40- to 65-year-olds with 40,000, 17- to 24-year-olds with 15,000 and 3,000 drivers older than 65.

The figures were supplied to IAM RoadSmart in response to a Freedom of Information request to the DVLA. The charity said the statistics underscore the scale of drink-driving in Britain and the need for a "shift in mindset" among drivers. IAM RoadSmart estimated that for someone whose job requires driving, the financial and professional consequences of being caught drink-driving could amount to as much as £80,000.

The publication of the DVLA figures comes amid media reports that the Government is considering stricter drink-driving limits as part of a long-awaited road safety strategy. Officials have not published a confirmed policy change, and the reports describe the measures as being under review.

Road safety and public health experts say drink-driving remains a key contributor to crashes that cause injury and death. Authorities use licence endorsements as one legal mechanism to penalise offending drivers; endorsements typically reflect either a conviction for driving over the legal alcohol limit or admittance to an offence.

The age distribution in the DVLA data indicates that the majority of drink-driving endorsements are among working-age adults, particularly those in their mid-20s through late 30s. Campaigners point to the combination of social drinking, commuting and occupational driving as factors that can increase exposure to enforcement and risk.

IAM RoadSmart called for renewed public education and enforcement measures to reduce alcohol-related driving offences. Any formal changes to limits or penalties would form part of wider policy discussions on the Government's road safety strategy, which officials have indicated will address a range of measures aimed at lowering casualties on Britain’s roads.

The DVLA data provide a three-year snapshot of recorded enforcement actions; they do not capture unreported incidents or near-misses. Government departments and road-safety organisations typically use such records alongside police collision data and public health statistics when assessing policy options and campaigns to reduce drink-driving and related harms.