More and more older drivers test positive for alcohol

The number of older people drinking and driving is increasing, according to a recent study carried out by insurance company, Swiftcover. It was found that one in five individuals who are caught drink driving in the UK is now over 50. The discovery has prompted speculation about whether or not safety campaigns are reaching those who learned to drive before drunk driving became an offence.

The study was based on reports from 42 police forces around the country, which showed that around 10,500 over-50’s give positive breath tests each year. Last year, some 232 people over 80 tested positive, including one aged 93. It is possible that some older drivers do not realise they cannot rely on staying within legal limits by using the guidelines advised for younger people. It has been found that ageing metabolisms are unable to break down alcohol as quickly, while breath tests remain an accurate measure of actual levels of intoxication and therefore of the risks involved in driving.

“An increase in driving under the influence among the elderly is a shocking and deeply concerning trend, as far too many casualties and fatalities occur as a result of this,” said Swiftcover underwriting manager, Roman Bryl.

Drink drive legislation introduced in 1967

Government officials have noted that there have always been more drunk drivers among those who grew up when such behaviour was culturally acceptable. Drunk driving only became illegal in 1967, when the first reliable breathalysers became widely available. At the time, there was substantial public opposition to what people saw as an impingement of their freedoms; then Transport Secretary, Barbara Castle, even received death threats. Today, only one in ten people say they would get into a car driven by someone who had drunk two glasses of wine.

Attitudes vary around the UK, which was apparent from the police figures. The place with the highest number of older drunk drivers was Strathclyde, followed by Greater Manchester and Hampshire. Although there were significant problems in the Thames Valley, London itself was barely affected.  Yorkshire, despite a historic association with pub culture and extensive rural areas, where taxis are scarce, also had very little trouble. This suggests that the problem may be a cultural one, with behaviour being largely dependent on the attitudes of peers.

UK roads continue to become safer

With 16% of all road deaths caused by drunk drivers, the need for an effective strategy is obvious.  The good news is that, although the rate of offending in the older section of the population has increased, the overall rate has dropped by 15% over the past three years, so our roads continue to become safer.

“There has been a downward trend in the number of collisions caused by drink-driving over the past decade, with our campaigns helping to change attitudes and make drink-driving socially unacceptable. However, we are not complacent and that is why we are taking forward a package of measures to streamline enforcement against drink-driving – including approving new breath-testing equipment which will allow for more effective and efficient enforcement,” said a spokesperson for the Department of Transport.