Over 250 people were killed on Britain’s roads by drunk drivers in 2023, new figures show. Data published by....

Glasgow is once again the drink drive hotspot of Scotland with 1,026 offences recorded in the past year, new figures show.

The city is well ahead of second-placed North Lanarkshire (745 offences) - with Highland ranking third (654).

Also in the top five worst areas for driving under the influence (‘DUI’) are South Lanarkshire (493) and the City of Edinburgh (491).

The news comes as Police Scotland launch their annual July blitz on drink and drug driving.

There were 8,638 DUI offences in 2024/25, according to the latest Recorded Crime in Scotland report – an increase of 7% on the previous year and up 58% over the past decade.

Separate figures from Transport Scotland reveal that drink drive casualties are also on the rise – with 310 in a single year, including 30 people killed by drunk motorists.

The Scottish drink drive limit was lowered in December 2014 from 80mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood to 50mg.

According to a poll of 1,000 Scots by breathalyser firm AlcoSense, 41% of motorists no longer drink alcohol when they know they will be driving later the same day or the following morning – with a further 29% saying they’ve reduced consumption since the law was changed.

The most popular way to avoid breaking the stricter rules is to arrange alternative transport home after a night’s drinking – 46% now either walk, take a taxi or rely on a designated alcohol-free driver.

“Four in ten motorists (41%) admitted to consuming more alcohol whilst Scotland was in lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic,” comments AlcoSense MD Hunter Abbott..

“Worryingly, 15% say their drinking habits have remained at the same level since.

“So it seems that, whilst most Scots are showing a far more responsible attitude towards drinking and driving, a stubborn hard core may account for the increase in alcohol-related accidents”.

Police Scotland’s road safety campaign will run for two weeks until 13 July.

During the last crackdown over Christmas, officers conducted 4,779 breath tests and 963 drug wipes.

“When you go out socialising this Summer plan ahead for how you’ll get home,” adds Hunter Abbott, “and if you’ve been drinking the night before test yourself with a personal breathalyser in the morning to check you’re clear.

“The risk of being in a fatal accident increases significantly with alcohol in your system – even if you are below the legal limit”.

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1 July 2025

Sources:

Scottish Government: Recorded Crime in Scotland

Transport Scotland: Reported Road Casualties Scotland

AlcoSense interviewed 1000 adults living in Scotland who drink alcohol at least once a week and drive regularly between 28 November and 3 December 2024. The study was conducted by OnePoll.

More drink drivers caught than 10 years ago in Northern Ireland

More motorists in Northern Ireland are being caught drink driving than a decade ago, new figures reveal.

Data released by PSNI shows that last year 3,837 drivers failed a roadside breath test or refused to provide a sample.

This contrasts with 3,386 in 2015 – an increase of 13%.

The number of tests conducted was also up 15% compared with ten years ago – with 31,617 motorists stopped by Police in 2024.

Northern Ireland drivers are four times more likely to be breathalysed than in England - with 16 tests per 1,000 population compared to just 4.

“It’s disappointing that so many drivers are still found to be over the legal limit”, comments Hunter Abbott, MD of personal breathalyser firm AlcoSense.

“In fact the number of motorists failing the test has increased from one in ten, to one in eight, over the past 15 years”.

• Two fifths (39%) of breath tests conducted in 2024 were as a result of road traffic collisions. The worst time of day was between 3am and 6am when one in four motorists (24%) tested positive.
• The highest number of tests was carried out on Sundays, which also saw the biggest number of failures.
• Separate figures published by PSNI show a 6% increase in drink or drug driving offences referred for prosecution, compared with 2015.
• Men accounted for four fifths of the offences and over half (55%) were in the 30-49 age group.
• Belfast City was the drink/drug drive hotspot with 538 offences detected – a rate of 19 per 10,000 adult population.
• Fermanagh & Omagh (229 offences) recorded the highest percentage rate, with 25 per 10,000.
• Lisburn & Castlereagh City had the fewest detections (179), whilst Ards and North Down had the lowest rate per 10,000 population (14).

“A breath test failure rate of 12% does at least compare favourably with England and Wales, where it’s 16%,” adds Hunter Abbott.

“Even if you feel fine the next morning, alcohol can still be in your system – impairing your reactions and judgment. If unsure whether you’re safe to drive, the only way to be certain is to use a personal breathalyser”.

All convicted drink drivers in Northern Ireland are now automatically referred to a rehabilitation training course. Those completing the course will see their disqualification period cut by up to 25%.

Penalties for driving when above the legal limit can include six months in prison, a fine of up to £5,000 and/or a ban for at least 12 months.

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4 June 2025

Sources:

https://www.psni.police.uk/sites/default/files/2025-05/Preliminary%20Breath%20Tests%20NI%202024.pdf

https://www.psni.police.uk/sites/default/files/2025-03/Motoring%20Offences%202024%20Annual%20Report.pdf