Ten Percent of All British Drivers Tested For Drunk Driving Failed The Probe

According to the figures published by British Police, drug driving and drunk driving tests are being done on fewer people than before, but with more positive test results.

In the case of any of the two offenses presented above, a positive test result means that the motorist in question was under the "spell" of alcohol or drugs while driving on public roads.

In figures, this summer campaign has led to 49,440 vehicles stopped by British Police, with 45,267 breath tests administered. Out of those tested, ten percent were definite, failed, or the driver refused to take the test. Furthermore, 11.4% of drivers tested with a breath analyzer after a collision had a result that was positive, including failures and refusals.

Almost the same percentage (10.2%) occurred with drivers that were tested without a collision, so it was just a matter of chance that this category was not involved in an accident the night they went driving after they had drank.

Police officers performed 279 drug field impairment tests, and 80 of them resulted in an arrest, which means 28.7% of all the tested drivers. The former category of tests was done following a collision, and 66 people were tested positive. However, 2,588 drug screening devices were administered, and 39.7% of them were positive (no failures or refusals here).

As Brake representatives have underlined, the United Kingdom needs to make a priority out of ensuring a strong deterrent against drunk or drugged driving.

According to Gloucestershire’s road safety advocates, a different organization than Brake, but with the same goal, a conviction for drink driving could cost an offender between 20,000 and 50,000 pounds as a result of fines, lawyer fees, increase in car insurance, and even a loss of a job.

We must note that British drivers caught in the United Kingdom while driving after they consumed alcohol can get a minimum driving ban of 12 months, a criminal record, a fine of up to 5,000 pounds, and an endorsement on the license for 11 years.

The latter, along with a criminal record, will bring a strong stigma one one’ reputation, which will be enough for some employers to fire the person that was convicted for driving drunk, while others will not employ the same person after discovering their criminal record.

The moral of this story is never to drink and drive. The same applies for drugs or prescription medication that can affect driving performance (ask your physician when a new medicine is prescribed).

On the same note, we would also remind drivers not to get behind the wheel of a car if they have not had enough sleep. In any of the situations in this paragraph, if one considers driving, it is best to pretend you do not have a car or a license.