HC Deb 25 January 1967 vol 739 cc262-3W
53. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Minister of Transport what proportion of the road accidents over the Christmas holiday resulting in death or serious injury, was caused by drivers under the influence of alcohol.

Mrs. Castle

To estimate this proportion it would be necessary to measure the blood-alcohol concentrations of all the drivers involved. There is no power to do this under the existing law. But it has been proved that drinking more than moderate amounts of alcohol increases accident risk; and previous studies of Christmas accidents have shown that more drivers involved in accidents then had been drinking than at other times.

83. Mr. Eldon Griffiths

asked the Minister of Transport if the analysis of the Christmas period road accident figures has been completed; and what percentage of the accidents can be attributed to the excessive intake of alcohol of motorists and pedestrians.

Mrs. Castle

No. The final figures will be analysed next month together with information from coroners on the blood-alcohol concentrations of drivers and riders killed.

Until the Road Safety Bill becomes law we cannot obtain information about how much other drivers involved in accidents had drunk. There is little information about alcohol consumed by pedestrians. I am taking steps to obtain more.