Following the publication of new data from the Department for Transport (DfT), road safety charity Brake is calling on the government to toughen its stance on drink-drive offenders in the UK.

In 2012, 280 people were killed in alcohol-related traffic incidents, while a further 1,210 people were seriously injured.

As a result, the charity is calling for a zero-tolerance approach to those who break the drink-drive laws in the future, with tougher penalties and a lower limit for alcohol consumption.

The organisation wishes the UK to follow the lead of other European nations and reduce its legal limit to 20 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood.

Furthermore, the charity claims additional investment in the police is required to ensure more dedicated traffic officers can be out on the roads to ensure motorists are abiding by the current drink-drive rules.

Julie Townsend, deputy chief executive of Brake, said: “We have the highest drink-drive limit in Europe and it sends out the dreadful message that a drink or two before driving is acceptable.

“Every other country in Europe bar one has decided a lower limit is safer, yet our government rejected the strong recommendations for a tougher approach. We are appealing to Westminster to review that decision in light of today’s figures.”

She added the needless suffering of countless families could be alleviated simply by the government taking forthright and decisive action on this matter, while the DfT’s report also revealed savings of up to £790 million could be made for the economy by a reduction in drink-related accidents.

Meanwhile, individuals convicted of drink-drive offenses can often find it difficult to secure cover for their vehicle when they have paid their debt to society and are able to return to the roads.

This is where the expert team at GSI Insurance Services (Southern) Limited can step in to lend a hand, as we offer drink-drive car insurance and the premiums could be much lower than you might expect.