DRINK-DRIVING convictions in the West Midlands is one of the highest in the country according to research.
The data, which was obtained by Scrap Car Comparison through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to the DVLA, revealed 15,795 drivers across the West Midlands Police force area were convicted between January 2015 to July 2022.
London was the area of the UK with the most convicted drunk drivers with 32,715.
West Mercia Police force came in 18th with 7,260 convictions and Wawrickshire Police was in 40th with 3,238.
The data also stated there were 47,280 drink driving convictions in the UK in 2021 – an increase of over 5,000 convictions compared to 2020.
The study also revealed the number of drivers convicted of common specific driving offences including causing death by careless driving, driving or attempting to drive while unfit through drink and being in charge of a vehicle while alcohol levels are above a legal limit.
Convictions for driving over the limit have increased by almost 10 per cent year on year.
In Wales, England and Northern Ireland the drink-drive limit is 35 micrograms per 100ml of breath, 80 milligrammes per 100ml of blood, or 107 microgrammes per 100 ml of urine.
The punishment you receive if caught drink driving can vary depending on the severity of your offence and the magistrates who hear your case, with offending drivers receiving anything from a £2,500 fine, to a driving ban or prison sentence.
Dan Gick, managing director of Scrap Car Comparison said: “When it comes to drinking and driving, we all know that there are significant risks, as well as penalties involved.
“We know better than to go out on a heavy drinking session and attempt to drive home, but the problems lie where people are trying their luck and thinking that they can do the maths to work out how much they can get away with.
“I’m sure many people will also be surprised to learn that you don’t have to be legally over the drink-drive limit to receive a penalty, and given that how we react to alcohol can be influenced by many different factors, we can’t always predict how we may seem after just one or two beers or cocktails.
“Some people will feel comfortable with having one alcoholic drink then driving home, but as a general rule, it’s safer to avoid driving after drinking alcohol altogether and ensure you have other means of transport available.
“Safety of yourself and other road users should always come before convenience.”
