A new survey finds overwhelming public support for the introduction of alcohol-interlock devices — commonly known as “alcolocks”.

With drink driving stats remaining a concern, with a worry that younger drivers are not heeding the dangers, alcolocks are seen as a valuable tool to curb drink-driving and reduce repeat offences.

Behind the wheel

The latest research results from the RAC suggest that four out of five drivers (82%) are in favour of making technological devices such as alcolocks, more widely used. 

Alcolocks work by linking a vehicle’s ignition system to a breathalyser: if the driver’s breath contains alcohol above a set limit, the car simply will not start.

Under current UK legislation, courts cannot automatically order convicted drink-drivers to have one fitted.

Still, the strong public backing revealed by the RAC survey could increase pressure for change. 

They are already used as a penalty for drink drivers in various European countries.

Take a breath

Support is broad and cuts across all age groups. Among the under-25s, backing is highest, with 87 % endorsing the idea.

Similarly strong support comes from people aged 25–44 (86 %) and — even among older motorists — around 73 % of those aged 65+ are also in favour. 

Of those in favour of alcolocks, the majority (71 %) believe every driver caught over the legal alcohol limit should have one installed.

Meanwhile, about 23 % think the requirement should apply only to repeat offenders; a small 6 % are unsure.

Only a small minority (7%) of all surveyed drivers opposed the idea, while 12 % said they were undecided. 

Time, ladies and gentlemen

The RAC argues that current penalties for drink-driving, such as licence bans and fines, are not doing enough to prevent reoffending.

The organisation points to the fact that repeat offenders commit many drink-drive convictions in the UK; a recent Freedom of Information disclosure found more than 27,000 motorists were convicted of multiple drink-driving offences between 2013 and July 2024. 

International experience also provides a reference point.

Countries such as Belgium, the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand and parts of the United States have introduced alcolock regimes, often allowing offenders to return to driving sooner, provided they install an interlock device for a defined period.

According to the RAC, a renewed push for a national trial of court-ordered alcolocks would align UK policy with other countries and could significantly reduce alcohol-related collisions, serious injuries and fatalities. 

Stubborn issue

The survey comes at a time when drink-driving appears to be rising back toward pre-pandemic levels.

In the same RAC Report on Motoring 2025, some 12 % of respondents admitted to driving when they believed they might have been over the limit — including 18 % of drivers under 25. 

Moreover, official data from the Department for Transport (DfT) shows that an estimated 260 people died in 2023 in crashes involving at least one driver over the legal alcohol limit, while around 1,600 were seriously injured. 

Looking ahead

The strength of public opinion revealed by the RAC survey may increase pressure on policymakers to rethink how drink-driving is tackled.

Many road-safety advocates see alcolocks as a pragmatic compromise between outright driving bans and a path to rehabilitation. 

With pressure on a shrinking road traffic police presence to deter and catch drink drivers, technology has become a popular way to do more with less.

As with traffic enforcement and speed cameras, alcolocks could well prove to be a valuable tech tool for law enforcement.

But while the data indicates a clear appetite among drivers for change, turning that into law would require political will, and possibly a trial phase to test real-world effectiveness in UK conditions. For now, the message is clear: a majority of motorists want tougher action.

After years of stagnation, alcolocks might be the change many agree is overdue.