Drivers face 'prison time' as 'worst month' for driving offence arrives

Drivers face 'prison time' as 'worst month' for driving offence arrives
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Drivers face PROSECUTION as the worst month in the calendar year for the worst driving offence of all returns. Motorists could face prison time this autumn, solicitors at Simpson Millar have told road users up and down the country.

It warns drink driving spikes in September, October, and November. They advised: "In the last year [2023], September saw 390 collisions resulting in 600 casualties, higher than December's 380 collisions and 550 casualties.

"Similarly, data from the last 12 years shows that November is one of the worst months for drunk driving, with 9,970 collisions and 6,650 casualties, outpacing December." According to the firm’s analysis, September and November are “deceptively dangerous” months during the autumn period.

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“In the last year,” it says “September saw 390 collisions resulting in 600 casualties, higher than December’s 380 collisions and 550 casualties. Similarly, data from the last 12 years shows that November is one of the worst months for drunk driving, with 9,970 collisions and 6,650 casualties, outpacing December.”

The firm also looked at the times drivers are most likely to drive drunk – or encounter another drunk driver on the road – and 11pm is the peak time for accidents with alcohol recorded as a factor, although numbers are high from 10pm to midnight.

It warned the South East stands out as the most dangerous area for drunk driving, ahead of the East of England. Over the last 12 years, the pair have recorded more than 13,000 and 8,000 alcohol-related collisions respectively.

Car Supermarket warned: "Well, for starters, it might be time to spread the "don't drink and drive" message more evenly throughout the year. Perhaps we need an autumn campaign as hard-hitting as the Christmas ones. "Don't be a pudding, don't drink and drive"? Okay, maybe we'll leave the slogans to the professionals."