Driving offences is the term referring to a wide range of breaches of the laws governing road-users. Some, such as driving without an MOT, are considered relatively minor. Most others, such as driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, are viewed as serious in modern society. This is the result of government action.

Drinking and driving became illegal at the following 4 points in time:

• ❖ It was illegal to drive while under the influence of alcohol even before cars were even invented.
• ❖ Driving a horse-drawn coach while drunk first became illegal in 1872.
• ❖ It became illegal to drive a car while drunk in 1925.
• ❖ In 1967, a new law set a maximum limit for the amount of alcohol a person could have in their bloodstream and still be legally fit to drive.

In 1935 all drivers had to pass a test, pay road tax, obtain insurance and maintain a roadworthy car. These rules came after many accidents - in 1934 alone, 7,343 people were killed on the roads.

Due to many people continuing to consider driving home after drinking large amount of alcohol as normal, the government began advertising campaigns highlighting the risks of drink-driving and the dangers of speeding.

Today, driving offences absorb a huge amount of police and court time. Car theft has become one of the largest categories of crime.