HC Deb 23 November 1967 vol 754 cc431-2W
Mr. Bryant Godman Irvine

asked the Minister of Transport if she will state the number of deaths directly caused by drunken drivers in the 12 months preceding the Road Safety Bill, and such figures as are available since the Bill became law.

Mr. Carmichael

Before 9th October, 1967, the police had no power to require a blood test from a driver who had been involved in an accident. Research indicated however that between 5 and 9 per cent. of all road accidents were attribut- able to alcohol, and that the proportion of fatal and serious accidents was higher than this.

Full accident figures for the period since 9th October are not yet available.