HC Deb 29 July 1964 vol 699 cc315-6W
Sir R. Glyn

asked the Minister of Transport what was the proportion of drivers of vehicles or riders of motor bicycles involved in fatal or serious accidents, in the 12 months to the latest convenient date, who were reported to be affected by alcohol, to be going too fast, to be learners, to be ill, to be fatigued or physically defective and not reported to be in any of the above categories, respectively.

Mr. Marples

A driver or rider involved in an accident may be reported under more than one heading. It is therefore not possible to give a complete table in answer to my hon. Friend's Question. With permission, I will circulate the available figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT. These figures are not, of course, intended to show the causes of accidents.

Following is the information:

DRIVERS AND RIDERS OF MOTOR VEHICLES INVOLVED IN FATAL OR SERIOUS ACCIDENTS DURING THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED APRIL 1964
Reported as Percentage so reported*
Intoxicated—arrested† 0.4
Going too fast having regard to conditions 7.0
Learners 5.8
Ill, fatigued or physically defective 0.4

Notes:

* Since a person may be reported under more than one heading, the figures cannot be added together to determine the proportion of drivers and riders not reported under any of the above headings.

† Limited to those arrested (whether or not prosecution followed) or where an arrest would have been made but for the death or serious injury of the person concerned. Although it is not possible on information so far available to establish the proportion of occasions on which alcohol was a factor in an accident, a detailed study of a sample of fatal accidents showed that in one accident in seven a rider or driver had been drinking.