The RAC, in addition to Police and Crime Commissioners, police chiefs and road safety organisations, are demanding that alcohol interlock devices are introduced.
These devices, which are often referred to as alcolocks, are connected to a vehicle’s ignition and will not start if the occupant is over the drink-driving limit.
Alcolocks are already used across the world to deal with high-risk and repeat drink-driving offenders, and can be fitted into almost any vehicle.
Data from the Department for Transport estimates that 220 people were killed and more than 1,500 were seriously injured in drink-driving collisions in Great Britain two years ago.
A Government consultation was launched to look at how an alcolock could be introduced, although it has failed to abide by its own three-month timetable to publish a summary of responses.
An open letter to Prime Minister Andy Burnham has been sent to urge the Government to introduce the car feature in its upcoming response to motoring offences.
Simon Williams, head of policy at the RAC, emphasised the importance of the alcolock by physically preventing motorists from driving if they are over the legal limit.
The Government is being urged to introduce alcolocks for high-risk and repeat drink-drive offenders
| PA/GETTY
He added: “The Government said it would set out its next steps within three months of the Road Safety Strategy consultation closing.
“That deadline has now passed, and every further delay means more preventable harm on our roads.
“As Mayor of Greater Manchester, the Prime Minister backed the ambition of Vision Zero – that nobody should be killed or suffer life-changing injuries on our roads.”
Mr Williams has called for this ambition to be extended across the country with a mandatory alcohol interlock programme for high-risk and repeat offenders.
Mandating alcolocks will not be progressed for the time being | GETTY
Evidence from abroad shows that alcohol interlocks can reduce reoffending by up to 70 per cent, while RAC polling shows that 82 per cent of UK drivers support the introduction of these devices.
Nations including Australia, Belgium, Canada and the Netherlands, as well as some states in the US, mandate the use of interlocks during sentencing.
At present, drivers who are found to be in charge of a vehicle while above the legal limit may get three months in prison, a fine of up to £2,500 and a possible driving ban.
In the most serious offence – causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink – people could be jailed for life, receive an unlimited fine, and a minimum five-year driving ban.
A drink-driving conviction can also lead to difficulties getting work, travel bans and “significantly” more expensive car insurance policies.
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “Driving under the influence of alcohol puts everyone at risk, and every drink-drive collision represents a preventable tragedy.
“Through our new road safety strategy, we’ve consulted on lower alcohol limits and tougher measures, including immediately suspending drink-drivers while they await their court date and harsher sentences.
“While we’re not mandating the use of alcohol interlocks, we have consulted on their potential use to help prevent repeat drink-driving offences.”