New data reveals drink driving hotspots in Essex and a surge in UK drink driving deaths, highlighting key trends.
Over 1,400 arrests happened last year, with about 66% of arrests leading to a charge. The Department for Transport provided new information indicating that UK drink-driving deaths rose significantly to a 13-year high. About 300 people die yearly due to drink-driving.
Chelmsford recorded the most drink-driving arrests, with Essex Police making 317 arrests there in the last year alone. Southend followed with 315 arrests, while Grays had 282 arrests and Colchester recorded 278.
The majority of arrested individuals were aged 31-35, making up 16% of all arrests. People aged 36-40 were the next largest group, accounting for roughly 15%. Notably, about 80% of arrested drivers were male in the last year.
UK drink-driving deaths reached a 13-year high according to data from the Department of Transport, released in 2024. In 2022, around 300 deaths involved drunk drivers; 2022 is the latest year for which this comprehensive data is available.
This represents the highest number of drink-driving related deaths since 2009. The figure is 16% higher than 2021’s figure. Deaths involving drunk drivers account for approximately 18% of all deaths on the road.
Essex Police recorded a significant number of drink-driving arrests. They had the sixth-highest number in the UK out of 34 police forces over the last three years.
Essex Police supported a national campaign aimed at combating drink and drug driving, which took place in December 2024. This “Operation Limit” resulted in 339 Essex arrests, a 13% increase compared to 2023, when there were 296 arrests during the same period.