DRINK-DRIVE figures for the region could be set to grow if we carry on with at the current trend, according to new figures.
From January to April this year, 1,621 motorists were caught drink-driving in the West Midlands, just shy of the 1,785 figure for the same period last year – despite the country going into lockdown.
According to the figures, uncovered by Confused.com through a Freedom of Information Request, West Midlands Police saw the highest number of offences, with 3,403 drivers caught over the whole of last year.
The comparison website says in a survey almost a quarter of UK motorists (24 per cent) have admitted driving after a tipple, because they didn’t feel drunk.
Historically, the summer is a time when incidents of drink-driving increase, with 2,861 UK motorists caught driving under the influence in July last year.
As people are expected to flock to pubs re-opening across the UK over the next few months, this summer could be on track to attract record numbers of drink-driving convictions, especially while public transport restrictions are still in place.
Across the whole year, 41,011 drivers in the UK were caught driving under the influence in 2019. And from January to April this year, shockingly, more than 9,000 motorists were caught drink-driving.
Despite the country entering full lockdown in mid-March, these figures are just shy of the 10,750 motorists caught during the same period in 2019.
It seems that some drivers are willing to continue risking their safety – and the safety of others – when the roads start to get busier.
Further research shows that people are drinking without fully understanding how much they can have before driving.
Almost a third (31 per cent) of UK drivers are confused about the legal drink-driving limit.
And according to the research, more than half (57 per cent) would feel safe to drive after one or two drinks, while shockingly, almost a further one in 20 (four per cent) would consider driving after a third drink.
Alex Kindred, car insurance expert at Confused.com, says: “I’m sure for many of us, the chance to meet up with friends in pubs and bars is a welcome relief after many months of lockdown measures.
“But as we ease out of one risky situation, we don’t want to put ourselves in danger of another.
”It’s quite simple: if you’re drinking, don’t drive. If you’re driving, don’t drink. And don’t think you’re out of the woods the morning after.
“When in doubt, don’t drive!”
