Drink-drive fatalities at highest

THE number of drink-drive fatalities has reached its highest level since 2009, according to provisional estimates.

Between 240 and 330 people were killed in crashes on Britain’s roads in 2017 where at least one driver was over the drink-drive limit, Department for Transport (DfT) figures show.

This represents about 16% of all road deaths.

The “central estimate” fatality figure of 290 is up from 230 during the previous year and is the most since 2009.

The DfT said the year-on-year increase is “not statistically significant”.

An estimated 8,660 people were killed or injured in drink-drive crashes, down 4% on the previous year.

RAC road safety spokesman Pete Williams said: “This is a serious cause for alarm and reflects a worrying change in attitude by a number of drivers who are prepared to risk their life and that of others by drinking and driving.

“Anyone who has lost a loved one in a drink-driving accident will testify to how devastating this is.”

He added: “With the reduced number of roads policing officers, it appears more drivers are thinking they can get away with drinking and driving.”

Drink-drive casualty figures for 2017 will be published in August.

The Scottish Government reduced the alcohol limit for drivers from 80 mg per 100 millilitres of blood to 50mg in December 2014, but the legal level in the rest of the UK remains among the highest in Europe at 80mg.