Remarkable fall in drink drive fatalities

Provisional drink drive estimates for 2010 show that fatalities resulting from drink and drive accidents fell by a remarkable 35% from 380 in 2009 to 250 in 2010, whilst seriously injured casualties fell by 18% from 1,490 to 1,230. Slight casualties resulting from drink drive accidents fell by 19% from 10,150 to 8,220. Total casualties also fell by 19% from 12,030 to 9,700. Fatal accidents decreased to 230 in 2010, a decrease of 3%. Overall drink and drive accidents fell by 18% from 8,050 to 6,630.

Some commentators have suggested that the apparent fall in drink drive deaths is so large that it may be too good to be true, and that when the final, confirmed figures are published they may be somewhat higher. However, even allowing for that possibility, it remains true that there has been a dramatic decline in the number of deaths from drink driving. Katherine Brown for the IAS commented:

“These figures are certainly an encouraging reflection of the declining trend in the number of drink drive incidents in the UK. However, the fact remains that hundreds of people are still being killed and thousands seriously injured on our roads each year by drivers who drink alcohol. Further steps need to be taken to reduce these unnecessary tragedies. Lowering the legal blood alcohol content and increasing police powers to breath test drivers are two policies that are proven to be effective in saving lives and have a great deal of support from the public, police, road safety and health communities. Disappointingly, the Government has chosen to ignore this evidence and will not be adopting these policies as part of its road safety strategy. However, the IAS will continue to advocate for their implementation as part of a cross departmental, evidencebased alcohol strategy.”

Announcing the results, Transport Minister Norman Baker said:

“These provisional figures show the number of people killed in drink drive accidents fell 35 per cent on the previous year - suggesting the number of drink drive deaths is now 83 per cent lower than 30 years ago. This is very welcome.

“However, we are determined to continue to take firm action against the small minority of drivers who still ignore the limit. That is why we are taking forward a package of measures to streamline enforcement against both drink and drug driving - including approving portable evidential breath testing equipment and drug testing devices which will speed up the testing process and free up police time.”