Plans to give officers power to disqualify offenders instantly are under discussion, with tougher penalties for fatal incidents

Police chiefs are exploring proposals that could give officers the authority to instantly disqualify drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the roadside. The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) is currently in the early stages of discussions regarding the types of tests that could be used and the legal adjustments required for such a move.

Chief Constable Jo Shiner, the NPCC’s lead for roads policing, has voiced support for this initiative, explaining that it would allow police to immediately remove dangerous drivers from the road, particularly those who have exceeded the legal alcohol limit. She stressed the importance of reducing the risk posed by these drivers without delay.

Shiner also advocates for tougher punishments for those who kill while driving under the influence, including the possibility of murder charges. She compared such cases to homicide investigations, believing that driving under the influence is a conscious decision to endanger others. She added, “If someone makes that decision to get behind the wheel under the influence of drink or drugs, that is a conscious decision to put other people at risk.”

The proposal has been supported by Ceinwen Briddon, whose 21-year-old daughter Miriam was killed in a head-on collision with a drunk driver in 2015. Following her daughter’s death, Briddon campaigned for harsher sentences for fatal drivers, which led to changes in the law allowing life sentences for those guilty of causing death by dangerous driving.

In addition to roadside disqualifications, Shiner also seeks the power to seize vehicles from convicted drink and drug drivers. Briddon echoed this sentiment, stressing that the length of sentences should reflect the severity of the crime and the devastating impact it has on victims’ families.

Their comments followed the release of results from the Christmas crackdown on impaired driving, Operation Limit. Nearly 50,000 breath tests were conducted over the festive period, with 9.5% of drivers testing positive, failing, or refusing to take the test. Furthermore, 6,846 drug tests were carried out, with nearly half (48.5%) of those returning positive results. In total, 6,616 arrests were made, and 1,589 people were charged.