The East Midlands and the South East are the most likely to see boozy drivers caught up in offences and time with the police, according to a survey.
Drivers in East Midlands tops the list with 12.62 drink driving offences per capita in 2022. The region recorded 2,600 total offences from 2018-2022 — an average of 12.86.
The South-East saw a similar pattern — 12.44 offences per capita — and recorded the highest total offences at 4,750 in the same timespan.
The region, in particular, recorded an average and total drink driving offences per capita in 2022 at 950, suggesting a consistent trend.
The government statistics were complied by City of Doncaster News, which conducted a study to rank UK regions based on drink-driving incidents per capita over the last five years.
Andy Halliday, CEO for City of Doncaster News, said: “What’s clear from the data is that drink driving remains a serious issue across many regions, especially as we head into the holiday season. With so many opportunities for people to be out celebrating, it’s more important than ever to be mindful of the risks.”
Drink Driving Chart – City of Doncaster News
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“The holiday season often brings a perfect storm for drink driving offences. We see more social gatherings, office parties, and family reunions – all usually involving alcohol.
“Combine this with potentially adverse weather conditions and darker evenings, and you have a recipe for increased risk on our roads. In areas like the East Midlands and South East, where we’re already seeing concerningly high numbers, this seasonal spike could be particularly pronounced.”
City of Doncaster News conducted a study to rank UK regions based on drink-driving incidents per capita over the last five years (Image: Supplied)
Mr Halliday was particularly concerned for South-East figures.
With the biggest population and high offence numbers year after year, it’s obvious that the current strategies aren’t cutting it,” he added. “What’s really interesting, and worrying, is that the figures for 2022 are almost identical to the five-year average. It suggests we’re facing deeply ingrained habits that aren’t changing or improving.
Residents in these areas should be especially vigilant, says Mr Halliday, adding alternative transportation for holiday events should be prioritised, along with and looking out for friends and family.
He said: “We looked at this data because raising awareness is something we can all do together as part of the wider effort to tackle drink driving across the country. With so many campaigns and initiatives already in motion, we hope that by keeping the conversation going, we can all play our part in making our roads safer.
“By sharing these insights, we hope to help local areas focus on making roads safer and encourage drivers to think twice before getting behind the wheel after drinking. At the end of the day, it’s about making sure everyone gets home safely during this busy season.”
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