The UK government has released statistics from sponsored questions by the Department for Transport. The Crime Survey for England and Wales looked into drivers’ behaviour on the roads from September 2010 to March 2024.
So, what did the research discover? Has drink driving increased? How do crimes relate to gender?
Continue reading to find out all the data, including drivers who drove while under the influence of drugs and while using their mobile phones.
Crime Survey findings
The Crime Survey provided figures for self-reported driver behaviour between September 2010 and March 2024.
The survey asked respondents, “Have you personally driven a car, van or other motor vehicle in the last 12 months?”, to determine whether respondents were ‘drivers’ or not.
If they had driven a car, van or motor vehicle in the last 12 months, respondents were asked: “In the last 12 months how often, if at all, have you driven after drinking any alcohol? This includes drinking below the legal alcohol limit.”.
It discovered that drivers who believed they drove while over the legal limit of alcohol in the body dropped from 7.3% in September 2010 to 5% by March 2024.
The findings revealed that more male than female drivers reported that they had driven whilst over the drink driving limit. Also, the age gap with the highest rate of reporting of being under the influence of alcohol was 20-24.
Drug driving statistics
As well as drink driving numbers decreasing over time, the number of drivers believed to have driven under the influence of drugs also fell.
According to the survey, 2.3% of drivers believed they’d driven under the influence of drugs in September 2010, but that has fallen to 0.4% by March 2024.
Mobile phone driving statistics
Mobile phone use while behind the wheel has become more common in recent years with the constant advancement of mobile technology.
However, just 4% of drivers reported that they had their mobile phone in their hand while in control of their vehicle by year end of March 2024. In terms of drivers who used their phone at least once while driving, YE March 2024, that figure stood at 51.7%.
4.1% of people surveyed claimed they used their phone by hand, while 47.6% said their phone usage was via Bluetooth, voice command or with a dashboard holder.
Finally, the age group that reported the most mobile phone usage from behind the wheel was 25-29.
Summary
The Crime Survey statistics show that the number of drivers reporting poor behaviour has dropped since September 2010, but there are still far too many incidents of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
If you have been charged with a drink driving offence recently, contact us for advice, support and representation.
Speak to our team of highly qualified solicitors to ensure you get the best possible defence.
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