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15th June 2007

British motorists (98%) claim to be safe drivers, yet a fifth feel unsafe on the nation's roads and over half (56%) believe that Britain's roads are less safe than they used to be. Over three quarters (78%) of motorists told researchers for RAC's 2007 Report on Motoring that they want the government to reduce road deaths by at least 10%, and six out of 10 (59%) want to see a 50% reduction.

Measures that would be welcomed by the 2,000+ drivers surveyed for this year's RAC Report on Motoring include:

1. Public naming and shaming of drink drivers 73%

2. Increasing random breath testing of drivers stopped by police 71%

3. Reducing drink drive limit to 50mg per 100ml of blood 69%

4. Installing "alco-locks" (breathalisers that prevent ignition activation if the drivers blood alchohol is too high 67%

5. Introducing speed cameras that photograph the driver 59%.

And although nearly a third (29%) of drivers do not believe they would pass their test if they were to take it tomorrow, the majority of motorists still believe it's the actions of others that make the nation's roads unsafe. Over three quarters (76%) of drivers believe that other motorists driving under the influence of illegal drugs is dangerous to personal safety, 74% blame other motorists' drink driving and 62% blame other drivers' lack of attention when driving.

The RAC met yesterday with MPs and policymakers to campaign for the introduction of clear and specific goals focused on drink-driving, drugs-driving, speeding, driving without legal documentation and long-term bans for causing death or serious injury. RAC also wants national target figures to be unpacked into specific localised targets that reflect regionalised concerns and priorities.

Robert Gifford, executive director, Parliamentary Advisory Council on Transport Safety, said: "The RAC Report on Motoring makes a significant contribution to our understanding of the views of the motoring public. I welcome RAC's efforts to keep road safety at the top of the public and policymakers' agendas. However, we all have a role to play - road deaths and injuries can only be significantly reduced through a collaborative approach between government, local authorities, and road users themselves."

RAC believes a revised government policy should include additional or more severe measures in five key areas:

Drink driving:

- Reduce blood alcohol limit to 50mg in line with the rest of Europe

- General strengthening of penalties for convicted drink drivers, as follows:

- Minimum two year ban for first drink driving offence

- Permanent points on licence after disqualification

- Automatic banning for life after third offence

- "Alco-locks" for convicted drink drivers

- Introduce general policy of random breath testing of all drivers stopped by the police.

Drugs-driving:

- Urgent introduction of drug testing devices

- Penalty regime in line with that of drink driving

- More targeted publicity campaigns on drug driving

- More specific and co-ordinated research on drug driving

- Greater clarity around driving on legal drugs.

Driving at inappropriate speeds in sensitive areas:

- More use of "average speed" cameras

- Step-change in usage of non-punitive, "vehicle-activated" signs on roads

- General reduction to 20mph limit in most sensitive areas, in consultation with local communities.

Driving without licence, MoT or road tax:

- More powers to stop and check at random

- Greater powers to seize a vehicle.

Causing death or serious injury:

- Greater use of long-term bans, including lifetime bans.

The RAC Report on Motoring 2007: Driving Safely? is based on the views of 2,029 British motorists, nationally representative of age, gender and socio-economic groups, who were interviewed by Quadrangle, in person, in their homes between February and March 2007.

The quantitative research was supported with qualitative research provided by seven focus groups representing young/ new drivers, elderly drivers, company car drivers, driving for work, school run mums, offenders, and the "average" motorist. Two further groups were held with pre-driving teens aged 15-16: one group of girls and one of boys.

Until 1999, the RAC's Reports on Motoring were called ‘The Lex Report on Motoring', but consistent research methods have been used throughout.