DRINK-DRIVE CASUALTIES RISE TO FOUR-YEAR HIGH

The number of people killed or injured in drink-drive related crashes has risen to a four-year high,accordingtogovernment data.

The latest report from the Department for Transport (DFT) shows that 9,040 people were killed or seriously injured in drink-drive incidents in 2016 – the latest year for which data is available.

That is a seven per cent rise over 2015 and the highest number since 2012.

The DFT report also shows that fatalities were up 18 per cent on 2015 to 230, prompting calls from campaigners for a zero-tolerance approach to drink-driving.

Overall, accidents involving at least one driver over the drink-drive limit also increased, by six per cent to 6,070.

The figures have prompted safety campaigners to demand a rethink of the current drinkdriving law, labelling it unclear and badly understood.

Joshua Harris, director of campaigns at road safety charity Brake, said: “How many more lives must be needlessly lost before the Government acts on drink-driving?

“[These] figures show that drink-driving is an increasing blight on British roads, and yet the Government sits on its hands and refuses to address the issue.

“The current drink-driving limit gives a false impression that it is safe to drink and drive – this is a dangerous message and one that couldn’t be further from the truth. Research has shown even very small amounts of alcohol dramatically affect safe driving.

“Brake is calling for the Government to implement an effective zero tolerance drinkdrive limit of 20mg per 100ml of blood, making clear to drivers that not a drop of alcohol is safe.”

The DFT report shows that drink-driving related crashes – where at least one of the drivers involved is over the legal limit – account for around four per cent of all crashes, but 13 per cent of fatalities.

Hunter Abbott, advisor to the Parliamentaryadvisorycouncilfortransportsafetyandmd of breathalyser firm Alcosense said the figures showed the impact of budget cuts to antidrink-drive programmes. He commented: “These latest figures [are] a worrying symptom of budget cuts to education through Think! as well as to enforcement – with the police now having to do more with less money.”

Commenting on the figures, a spokesman for the Alcohol Information Partnership, said: “We are encouraged that the total number of drink driving casualties in Great Britain has fallen by 37 per cent since 2006, but any year-on-year increase remains a cause for concern. It is unacceptable for anyone to get behind the wheel when they’ve had too much to drink.

“The industry is committed to supporting initiatives launched to drive home the message about drink driving.”