IAM Roadsmart Has Revealed The TRUE Cost Of A Drink-Drive Conviction Ahead Of Pubs Re-Opening!
Thursday, 11. March 2021
Motorists caught drink-driving as the post-lockdown rush to the pubs starts, could end up being £70,000 out of pocket when all the personal financial costs of their conviction are taken into account, a road safety charity has warned.
IAM Roadsmart – formerly the Institute of Advanced Motorists – points out that those who are convicted of a drink-driving offence face fines, legal fees, higher car insurance premiums, alternative transport costs and potential loss of earnings.
Research by the organisation suggests fines associated with the conviction could be £5,000, the previous maximum fine – though a conviction now brings a limitless financial penalty. Legal fees following conviction after a not guilty plea come in at an average of £11,000, while increased car insurance premiums typically run to £13,500 over five years, the period for which drivers must tell insurers about a conviction.
During a ban, offenders can also expect to rack up £2,000 in taxi or public transportation bills while they don’t have a car, plus a loss in earnings of £38,500 over 15 months is possible based on the average UK salary, and unemployment following a conviction.
Official Government figures show there were 250 fatal drink-driving accidents in 2017 – the highest number since 2010. This was despite 2017 only seeing 326,000 roadside breath tests, compared with 737,000 in 2010.
Around a fifth of drink-driving convictions and a third of roadside breath tests take place the morning after the night the suspect has allegedly been drinking, between the hours of 7am and 1pm.
December 2018 saw a 16 per cent rise in drink-driving offences compared with the same month the previous year. Typically, around 20 per cent of drink-driving offences for any given year take place in December.
Drink-driving kills, so during the post COVID celebration period don’t be tempted to have a drink before getting behind the wheel – it’s irresponsible and incredibly dangerous.”
Neil Greig, director of policy and research at IAM Roadsmart, said: “Drink-driving wrecks lives and is totally unacceptable in any circumstance. However, some people still think they are safe to drive when they’ve had just a couple of drinks or are using home (lockdown) measures, which can quickly push them over the limit.
“The £70,000 impact of being convicted of drink-driving is very sobering. This should be more than enough – let alone the thought of causing any other suffering for yourself, your family or the other people you put at risk on the road – to stop those drivers who are tempted to have an extra drink and get behind the wheel.”
We are all desperate to get out and socialise with friends and family in pubs and bars but don’t let the celebrations lead to you having a few too many and getting behind the wheel of your car. There have already been too many deaths and even if you don’t have an accident don’t find yourself counting the cost of losing your licence. By Graham Hill thanks to Auto Express.
