Liberal Democrats reveal big rise in women drink driving

Published: 23 July, 2008

UK: The Liberal Democrats is urging the Government to target women following a rise in drink drive offences.

Currently, the Government targets men in its campaigns to stop people driving when under the influence of alcohol.

But Liberal Democrat research shows:

A 58% increase in women of all ages found guilty of drink driving since 1995, compared with a slight fall amongst men;

An increase of nearly 50% in women younger than 30 found guilty of drink or drug driving since 1995, compared with just 4% for men in the same age group.

Liberal Democrat shadow transport secretary Alistair Carmichael said: "We warmly welcome moves to put Britain's drink driving laws in line with other European countries.

"Instead of focusing drink driving campaigns only on men, these figures show women also need to be targeted.

"Drinking and driving must remain socially unacceptable. Despite all the hype surrounding Paris Hilton's case, it is vital that we do not forget that drink driving causes hundreds of deaths each year."

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