WITH pubs getting ready to open again after lockdown a call has gone out to the Government to take steps to reduce the number of drink-drive related incidents.

It follows a report which calls for the launch of an ‘alcolock' programme to combat drink drivers - a move which is being backed by road safety organisation IAM RoadSmart.

The Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS) report, which IAM RoadSmart contributed to, highlights that the greater use of alcolocks will have a positive impact on road safety.

Alcolocks require the driver to blow into a breath-testing instrument that is connected to the vehicle ignition system to prevent it from starting if the sample is over the limit.

Neil Greig, IAM RoadSmart director of policy and research said: "Worldwide, integrating technology, such as alcolocks, with rehabilitation courses, has been shown to be the most effective way to stop drink drive reoffending and reduce crashes."

Since 2010, there have been around 240 deaths a year in Great Britain involving a driver over the legal drink driving limit and in contrast to the previous decade, no progress has been made in reducing these numbers.

The PACTS report mirrors recent research by IAM RoadSmart of over 2,000 motorists, which reveals overwhelming support from motorists to fit alcolocks in all new cars. 90 per cent of motorists support all new cars having built-in technology that immobilises the vehicle if the driver is over the limit.

From 2022 all new cars sold in Europe will be ‘alcolock enabled' but it is up to the Government to decide how they will be used. I

IAM RoadSmart has previously stated they will be a useful tool to get drink drive offenders back to safer driving after a ban.

Mr Worth added: "The evidence is clear. Nearly all motorists want new cars fitted with alcolocks to help stop the daily carnage on UK roads from drink driving and this latest PACTS report is even further endorsement."

IAM RoadSmart has found that the personal cost of a drink drive conviction could be as high as £70,000 when considering factors such as legal fees, higher car insurance premiums, alternative transport costs and potential loss of earnings following conviction. That's on top of possible imprisonment, lengthy bans and substantial fines.

"In the meantime, our message is clear. It must always be.