Fifth of Convicted Drivers Have Been Driving a Year or Less

New data shows 17% of convicted drivers have held a licence for just 12 months or under – with a further 4% carrying a provisional licence.

Quotezone.co.uk analysed a sample of over 15,000 convicted drivers across the UK, showing the number one offence, with 25% of all convictions, to be drinking with an alcohol level above the limit. When broken down locally, all but three GB regions rank this drink-driving offence as its top driving crime.

The winter evenings, especially in the run-up to Christmas, witness a surge in drunk driving offences as the UK’s alcohol intake increases dramatically across the festivities.

DfT (Department for Transport) statistics show drunk driving declined in the early 2000s and 2010s. However, over the last decade, incidents have been on the rise, with Christmas drunk drive collisions reaching over 8500 throughout just November and December.

It’s vitally essential all drivers heed the early warnings, especially those new to driving, and don’t drink and drive. If people need to drive the next day, they should check their blood alcohol levels using the simple online tools available – note these are only estimates. If drivers doubt their legal limit, it’s safer to forgo driving the next day altogether.

Driving or attempting to drive while above the legal drink limit or unfit because of drink could result in 6 months in prison, an unlimited fine and a driving ban for at least one year – increased to three years if they have been convicted of drunk driving twice in ten years.

Founder and CEO of car insurance comparison site Quotezone.co.uk, Greg Wilson, said: “The fact that drunk driving is the number one driving offence in the UK is disturbing – especially when over a fifth of offences are committed by new drivers.

“Those new to the road, with less experience, should be extra cautious and keen to follow the road rules to the letter. The consequences of driving under the influence could be life-changing for all concerned.

“Now is the time of year to be extra careful on the roads and plan – with so many popular zero alcohol alternatives and online calculators now readily available to help motorists check they’re safe to drive, incidents with drunk driving should be a thing of the past.

“It could be the case that people don’t realise how much the alcohol is still affecting them the next day. Most people assume they’re ready to take to the road after a good night’s sleep, but this isn’t the case.

“The online calculators help drivers determine how long each drink takes to leave their system. This gives them an idea of when it’s safe to drive again – although these should be used cautiously as everyone’s body type is different, it is always best to avoid driving early the next morning just in case, and all aim for a Christmas with safer roads.”

 

Christmas Drink Drive Collisions
YEAR	CHRISTMAS MONTHS	COLLISION
2021	November / December	890
2020	November / December	680
2019	November / December	960
2018	November / December	1050
2017	November / December	990
2016	November / December	1130
2015	November / December	1070
2014	November / December	980
2013	November / December	1030
	Total	8780

GB REGION	Top Motoring Conviction -2023 (Jan-Sept)	Percentage of Casualties Occurring in Drink-drive Collisions (Latest 2020)	Number of Drunk Driving Collisions (Latest – 2021)
Wales	DR10 driving with alcohol level above limit	8.40%	220
East Midlands	DR10 driving with alcohol level above limit	8%	460
South East England	DR10 driving with alcohol level above limit	6.60%	860
East of England	DR10 driving with alcohol level above limit	6.30%	550
West Midlands	SP30 exceeding the statutory speed limit	6.20%	380
South West England	DR10 driving with alcohol level above limit	6.10%	490
Yorkshire and the Humber	SP30 exceeding the statutory speed limit	5.70%	440
North West England	DR10 driving with alcohol level above limit	5.60%	460
North East England	DR10 driving with alcohol level above limit	5.40%	130
Scotland	DR10 driving with alcohol level above limit	5%	150
London	SP30 exceeding the statutory speed limit	3%	510