An insurance company is suggesting that convicted drink drivers should be offered reduced insurance premiums as an inducement to not re-offend.

Allen and Allen believes it should be possible for insurers to offer these drivers reduced premiums subject to abiding by a set of stringent conditions, such as being able to prove they have driven completely drink free for a set period of time.

Under the new government scheme, motorists convicted of drink driving can reduce the amount of time they are banned by agreeing to have their vehicle fitted with an alcohol ignition lock, which requires the driver to blow into a tube alongside the unit before attempting to start the vehicle. If the pre-set limit is exceeded, the car will not start.

The units are not cheap to install and incur a monthly monitoring cost, but for those committed to change their ways and wanting to help improve road safety they provide a practical alternative, and one that enables them to stay on the roads.