Analysis finds drink-driving casualties greater during summer

RAC analysis of government data found that August had the highest average monthly number of drink-driving casualties between 2014 and 2024.

Over the 11-year period, an average of 721 people were killed or injured in drink-drive collisions each August, across an average of 485 collisions.

July ranked second, averaging 704 casualties across 474 collisions.

The figures indicate that drink-driving poses a greater summer risk than commonly recognised. From June to August, casualties and collisions were both 16% higher on average than from December to February.

December—traditionally linked to increased drink-driving during Christmas and New Year celebrations—averaged 663 casualties across 459 collisions.

The latest figures show the same pattern: in 2024, June recorded the most drink-drive casualties and collisions, at 650 and 440 respectively.

June to August recorded 1,810 drink-drive casualties and 1,220 collisions, compared with 1,570 casualties and 1,060 collisions from December to February.

‘More opportunities and temptation’
RAC head of policy Simon Williams said the findings challenge the view that drink-driving is mainly a Christmas issue.

He said: “Drink-driving is often seen as more of a Christmas issue, but our analysis shows collisions involving drivers who have consumed illegal levels of alcohol are actually far more common during the summer.

“Warmer weather, longer evenings as well as holidays, festivals and barbecues all create more opportunities and temptation for people to drink and then get behind the wheel.

“Anyone who has drunk alcohol on a summer’s evening or weekend shouldn’t get behind the wheel until they’re absolutely sure they’re safe to drive. This advice is especially important as the UK experiences a summer that’s so far been characterised by largely fine weather and, for some, successive heatwaves.”

Williams also warned that tiredness and dehydration increase the risks during hot weather.

He said: “It’s also important to be mindful of the effects of tiredness which can affect people who struggle to sleep in very hot conditions. Tiredness, dehydration and alcohol can be a lethal combination behind the wheel.

“Enforcement of the drink-drive law at this time of year is therefore extremely important in keeping everyone safe.”

Call for alcohol interlocks
The RAC continues to call for tougher action on repeat drink-driving, including court-ordered alcohol ignition interlocks, or ‘alcolocks’, for high-risk and repeat offenders.

The organisation says nearly 27,000 drivers were convicted of drink-driving more than once over 11 years.

Alcohol interlocks prevent a convicted drink-driver from starting a vehicle until they provide a negative breath test.

Williams said: “As we’ve highlighted in the past, repeat offending is a genuine problem with nearly 27,000 drivers having been convicted more than once over an 11-year period.

“Drivers strongly support alcohol interlocks which require a convicted drink-driver to provide a negative breath test in order for their vehicle to start.

“We – alongside the Lock-Out Drink-Driving campaign – continue to urge the Government to allow courts to mandate them.”