16.04.26 | Lock Out Drink Driving Campaign leads cross-sector call for alcohol interlocks

The Lock Out Drink-Driving Campaign has today written to the Secretary of State for Transport calling on the Government to introduce alcohol ignition interlocks for repeat and high-risk drink-drive offenders.

The open letter, backed by several leading road safety organisations, sets out a clear and evidence-based case for the introduction of alcohol interlocks, also known as “alcolocks”, as part of the Government’s Road Safety Strategy.

A clear case for action

Drink-driving continues to be a significant cause of death and serious injury on the UK’s roads. While existing penalties play an important role, evidence shows that a proportion of offenders continue to reoffend, putting lives at risk.

Alcohol interlocks offer a targeted and preventative solution. By requiring a driver to provide a breath sample before a vehicle can be started, the technology physically prevents someone from driving if they have been drinking.

International evidence demonstrates that alcohol interlocks can reduce reoffending significantly when used as part of offender programmes, and there is strong public support for their introduction in the UK.

A timely opportunity

The publication of the Government’s Road Safety Strategy, and the accompanying consultation, presents a clear opportunity to take forward measures that can have an immediate impact on road safety outcomes.

Through this letter, we are urging the Government to move beyond consideration and commit to the introduction of a court-ordered alcohol interlock programme for repeat and high-risk offenders.

Read the full letter

The full open letter to the Secretary of State for Transport can be accessed here.

Signatories

```
Ross Moorlock, CEO, Brake
```
```
Paul Cook, CEO, The Road Victims Trust
```

Steve Cole, Director of Policy and Impact, Royal Society for The Prevention of Accidents

```
Simon Williams, Head of Policy, The RAC
```

James Gibson, Executive Director, Road Safety GB

Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, Chair, Alcohol Health Alliance

Dr Suzy Charman, Executive Director, The Road Safety Foundation

Rebecca Morris, Director, Vision Zero Communications