Are the UK police doing enough to tackle drink/drug driving, and could they do more?

More than 140,000 drivers admitted to driving while unfit through drink/drugs in 2020, but only 28,171 of them were convicted of the offence, figures show.

Copyright: Dwayne Hards.

Armed with the power of arrest, constables can arrest anyone they reasonably suspect to be driving while intoxicated or who fails to provide them with a roadside breath test. Failure to provide a breath sample at the station is an offence and carries the same penalty as driving under the influence, but offenders will always be given multiple opportunities to change their mind and follow the request.

Intoxicated drivers aren't always caught by the police. But, when they are, they risk harsh penalties, such as: unlimited fines, driving bans, up to 6 months in prison, suspended sentences, and/or unpaid work.

The police must investigate any reports made to them regarding DUI offences but have been known to neglect this duty.