Data from the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) has revealed where the most drink driving offences occur within the UK.
The information looked at all 114 major postal catchments in England, Wales and Scotland.
Which areas of the UK were the most common for drink driving offences in 2023? Read on to find out.
The top 10 areas with the most drink driving offences
According to the data collection, Northampton was the worst-offending borough of the UK in 2023 with 687 drivers caught driving under the influence of alcohol.
Northampton has a registered 511,000 drivers and sits on the M1 motorway. This equated to a rate of 13.4 out of every 100,000 driving licence holders in the area who were caught drink driving in 2023.
Two other cities in the top 10 list are also located near the M1, Nottingham and Wakefield.
The full top 10 is:
- Northampton (13.4 per 10,000)
- Llandudno (13.1)
- Nottingham (12.3)
- Sunderland (12.1)
- Teeside (11.7)
- Wakefield (11.7)
- Durham (11.5)
- Lanarkshire (11.5)
- Newport (11.3)
- Scottish Western Isles (11.3)
UK drink driving data
In 2023, the average rate of drink driving offences throughout the UK was just under 8.5 per 10,000 drivers.
The data has also revealed that drink driving deaths reached a 13-year high in 2022, as 300 people were killed in drink driving collisions.
In terms of non-fatal drink driving injuries, they increased with 1610 serious and 4890 slight injuries occurring in 2022.
Where were the lowest-offending areas in the UK?
England’s capital city represents the lowest figures for drink driving across the entire United Kingdom.
Bromley, situated in the south east of Greater London, had the lowest drink driving rate in the UK, with just 4.5 cases per 10,000 licenced drivers. Only 99 drink driving convictions occurred with around 218,000 motorists in the Bromley area.
The second and third-lowest conviction rates in the UK also came in the Greater London area, with Kingston-upon-Thames and Central London (both 4.7) placed just above Bromley.
Stevenage (4.7) and Watford (4.9) make up the next two spots on the list.
Why is London so low down in this list, though, when it’s the busiest city in England?
It is believed the low rates of drink driving in London are down to the lowest rates of driving, especially among younger people. The majority of people in London use public transport services, which reduces the number of people likely to be found drink driving.
Have you been caught drink driving?
If you’ve recently been caught drink driving, you’ll need some legal representation or, at the very least, some professional advice.
At M.A.J. Law, we boast a team full of highly reliable and qualified drink driving solicitors who can help you.
If you’re facing a drink driving conviction, contact us today and speak to a member of the team. We’ll talk through your situation and see how we can help.
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