Fatalities from drink related road traffic accidents have fallen in the UK to a record low.
Provisional accident statistics involving accidents reported to the police involving drinking and driving in Britain in 2009, published by the Department for Transport, show fatalities have fallen by five per cent to 380, down from 400 killed in 2008.
This is the first time drink-driving fatalities have fallen below 400 a year.
Seriously injured casualties fell by nine per cent from 1,620 (2008) to 1,480 (2009). Slight casualties resulting from drink related driving accidents fell by eight per cent from 12,990 (2008) to 11,990 (2009).
The news has been welcomed by RoSPA, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.
RoSPA Head of Road Safety Kevin Clinton says: “This reduction in casualty figures is very encouraging and we are pleased that the message that driving while under the influence of alcohol is dangerous and irresponsible seems to be getting through.
“However, there is still much more work to be done. 380 people did not return home last year because of a drink driving accident. Now we are in the second half of the year, our thoughts are turning to the fact that Christmas is a key time when it comes to road safety and it is as important as ever to impress upon people that drink driving should not be an option.”
The recent statistics refer to personal injury accidents on public roads, including footways, which have become known to the police.
In all cases the deaths occurred due to road traffic injuries and death occurred less than 30 days after the accident.
A drink drive accident is also defined as being an incident on a public road in which someone is killed or injured and where one or more of the motor vehicle drivers or riders involved were found to have illegal levels of alcohol in their blood.
The reduction in drink driving deaths is partly being seen as a result of increased awareness campaigns in recent years.
However road safety campaigners, including RoSPA, are concerned that the improvements to road safety awareness will be undermined by cuts in public spending.
RoSPA is also urging the Government to lower the current drink driving limited from 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood to 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood.
Kevin Clinton says: “The drink driving campaign has been very successful in terms of reducing the acceptability of drink driving in society.
“We hope that before too long, the issue of drug driving will be brought front and centre, and that people will begin to see this selfish and dangerous practice as equally unacceptable.”
Drink driving statistics are based on data from the police and coroner departments. Casualty statistics are made up from the numbers of all road users killed or injured in drink driving accidents.
A more comprehensive analysis of drinking and driving statistics in the UK will be published on 23 September 2010 in the Reported Road Casualties Great Britain: 2009 document.
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