Driving law changes could see devices installed in cars to crack down on 'high-risk' motorists

In total, 2,553 drivers have received three or more DR10 or DR20 endorsements for drink-driving since 2014, based on DVLA data from a Freedom of Information request.

DR10 endorsements are issued to those driving or attempting to drive above the legal limit, while motorists who are deemed unfit to drive because of alcohol will be given a DR20 notice.

Concerningly, one motorist amassed 10 separate DR10 endorsements, while another had eight, and 13 had six convictions for driving over the limit.

Data from the DVLA shows that 220,638 hold drink-driving endorsements, with the vast majority, 217,757, being for DR10 offences.

Rod Dennis, road safety spokesperson for the RAC, said: "These figures make it painfully clear that licence disqualification alone does little to prevent some convicted drink-drivers reoffending.

"The solution for repeat and high-risk drink-drivers who are highly likely to get behind the wheel again after drinking is something that physically prevents them doing so."

To crack down on motorists who continue to break drink-driving rules, the RAC has called for so-called "alcolocks" to be installed.

The alcohol interlocks work in the same way as breathalysers, although they are fitted to a vehicle's ignition system.

If someone has one installed in their vehicles, they must blow into the device to prove that they have not been drinking alcohol before the ignition system starts.

Mr Dennis said alcolocks could "play a vital role in stopping persistent offenders putting lives at risk" if they were to be part of a court-mandated programme.

Research from the RAC shows that 82 per cent of motorists would support the introduction of alcolocks in vehicles to prevent drink-driving.

He added: "When one instance can kill, 10 occurrences on the same licence is a truly grim Groundhog Day that must be prevented."

Mr Dennis said this was a topic that could save lives, noting that "we can't afford not to be using alcolocks".

The Lock Out Drink-Driving Campaign has launched in the UK to urge the Government to bring forward alcolocks for repeat offenders.

Labour has also introduced the Road Safety Strategy, which aims to crack down on motorists who consistently break drink-driving rules.

A spokesperson for the Lock Out Drink‑Driving Campaign described the data from the RAC as a "wake-up call", adding that it was "completely unacceptable" for 18,000 people to have multiple convictions.

They added: "It is clear that current measures are failing to break the cycle of reoffending. We welcome the Government's interest in alcolocks in the new Road Safety Strategy, but this data shows decisive action is needed now.

"A mandatory alcolock programme for high‑risk and repeat offenders would prevent further avoidable tragedies on our roads."