South Tyneside among worst areas for drink and drug driving

Reasearch carried out by MoneySuperMarket reveals the postal areas that have the highest rate of drivers with drink or drug driving convictions on their car insurance policies.

The analysis, which looked at seven million car insurance quotes found that those living in Sunderland SR postcode areas have the highest number of drink and drug driving convictions nationally, with nearly three (2.91) for every 1,000 drivers, an increase of 1.3 compared to last year.

The data showed in South Tyneside’s NE32 area the figure was 2.56 per 1,000 drivers, in the NE31 area it was 2.33. Other areas were not in the highest category with NE34 having a rate of 2.12, NE33, 1.72 and NE35, 1.38.

Nationally the data found men are most likely to get behind the wheel while under the influence, but the total rate of convictions has increased since 2016 for both male and female drivers, rising from 1.39 to 1.68 per 1,000 for men and from 0.92 to 1.20 per 1,000 for women.

Conviction rates for drink or drug driving is the lowest for over 65s with 0.21 offences per 1,000 drivers, closely followed by 17 to 19 year olds, with just 0.25 convictions. Drivers aged 25 to 29 saw the highest rate of convictions, with three for every 1,000 drivers.

Drivers who have a drink or drug driving conviction will typically see their motor premiums increase at renewal.

Kevin Pratt, consumer affairs expert at MoneySuperMarket, said: “Most people rightly view drink and drug driving as totally unacceptable. Although, our analysis shows that it’s a minority that are offending, it’s worrying to see that convictions have increased since last year.

“This could be because people forget alcohol can stay in the system for a long time after the party is over, leading to being caught the following morning when they think they’re sober.”

In August the Department for Transport figures showed the number of drink drive collisions had risen.

For more details about the data click here.