An estimated 220 people were killed in Great Britain in 2024 in collisions involving at least one driver or rider over the legal alcohol limit. That represented 14% of all road fatalities. The latest dedicated DfT drink-drive estimates were published in July 2026.
Key statistics at a glance
| Statistic | Figure | Period and coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Estimated fatalities | 220Central estimate; 95% confidence interval 190–250. | 2024 Great Britain |
| Killed or seriously injured | 1,740 | 2024 Great Britain |
| All casualties | 6,350 | 2024 Great Britain |
| Drink-drive collisions | 4,360 | 2024 Great Britain |
| Share of all road fatalities | 14%Rounded estimate. | 2024 Great Britain |
| Change in estimated fatalities | −16%The fall is not statistically significant. | 2023 to 2024 Great Britain |
Great Britain, 2024. Estimated casualties and collisions involving at least one driver or rider over the legal alcohol limit. The 95% confidence interval for fatalities is 190–250.
Did drink-driving deaths rise or fall?
The central fatality estimate fell from 260 in 2023 to 220 in 2024, a decrease of 16%. DfT reports that the change was not statistically significant. The estimated share of all road fatalities fell from 16% to 14%.
Killed or seriously injured casualties decreased by 6%, while total casualties increased by 1%. Drink-drive casualties form part of the national road casualty total.
Who is included in the drink-drive estimate?
The estimate covers everyone killed or injured in a collision involving a driver or rider over the alcohol limit. This includes passengers, pedestrians and sober drivers as well as the person over the limit.
DfT combines police collision records with alcohol results for drivers who died, supplied through coroners and procurators fiscal. Because this information is incomplete, the fatality estimate has a 95% confidence interval of 190–250. The statistics measure involvement in a qualifying collision rather than a finding that alcohol caused every incident.
What are the UK drink-driving limits?
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the limits are 80 milligrammes per 100 millilitres of blood, 35 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath and 107 milligrammes per 100 millilitres of urine. Scotland uses lower limits of 50, 22 and 67 respectively.
The effect of alcohol varies between people, so these concentrations cannot reliably be converted into a safe number of drinks.
Drink-driving penalties
In England and Wales, driving or attempting to drive over the limit can bring up to six months in prison, an unlimited fine and a driving ban of at least one year. Causing death by careless driving while under the influence of drink carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and a minimum five-year driving ban. Penalties differ between UK jurisdictions.
Drink driving and workplace policies
Driving-for-work arrangements should cover the driver, journey and vehicle. Clear reporting procedures allow staff to flag that they are unfit to drive before starting a journey, and managers should plan work so staff are not pressured to drive while unfit.
Frequently asked questions
How many people died in drink-drive collisions in 2024?
DfT estimates 220 deaths in Great Britain, with a 95% confidence interval of 190–250. This includes all road users killed in qualifying collisions.
What percentage of road deaths involved drink driving?
An estimated 14% of road fatalities in Great Britain in 2024 occurred in collisions involving a driver or rider over the legal alcohol limit.
What is the latest year of drink-driving statistics?
The dedicated DfT estimates published in July 2026 cover 2024. Their geographic coverage is Great Britain.
Using these statistics?
Please credit Online CPD Academy and link to this guide when using these statistics in an article, report or website.
Suggested citation: Online CPD Academy, Drink Driving Statistics UK: Latest 2024 Data (2026), updated 15 October 2026.
Sources
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Mark writes about workplace health and safety, compliance and accredited training for Online CPD Academy, the UK's leading online training company.