DORSET has seen a shocking number of drink-driving offences in the past year, according to new data.

A new investigation by drink-driving car accident claims specialists, Legal Experts, reveals Dorset Police recorded more than 1,700 drink-driving offences in the last three years, with 389 logged in the last year alone.

The force clocked 1,752 drink-driving offences between December 2021 and November 2024- which includes people who produced positive breath tests as well as those who failed to provide one.

75% of offences resulted in a charge or summons. Interestingly, 76% of drink-drivers arrested by Dorset Police in the last year were male.

25-34-year-olds were the most common age group arrested in the last year, closely followed by 35-44-year-olds, which made up 20%.

Dorset drink driving hotspots

Poole recorded the highest number of drink-driving arrests between December 2023 and November 2024 with 45 offences committed in the last 12 months.

Dorchester came in second with 32, while East Dorset came in third with 29 arrests.

Road Traffic Accident Specialist, Tracy Chick, from Legal Experts said: “It is deeply concerning that drink-drive-related deaths have reached their highest level since 2009. Anyone who drinks and drives is putting the lives of all road users at risk.

“The impact of drink-driving can be devastating not only for victims who have been killed or suffered life-changing injuries but also for the drivers facing serious legal consequences – it is such an avoidable offence and there is no excuse for drinking and getting behind the wheel.

“Drivers facing serious legal consequences – it is such an avoidable offence and there is no excuse for drinking and getting behind the wheel.”

The findings follow the latest data released by the Department for Transport in 2024 revealing that UK drink-driving deaths have hit a 13-year high.

There were an estimated 300 deaths where at least one driver was over the legal blood-alcohol limit in 2022, the latest year for which official figures are available.

This is the highest annual figure since 2009.

Visit Legal Expert on their website: https://www.legalexpert.co.uk/car-accident-claims/drink-driving-car-accident-claims-much-compensation-can-i-claim/

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