§ Mr. Peter Robinsonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish details of the effect the Royal Ulster Constabulary campaign against drunken drivers has had on the 201W number of road deaths; and how the statistics compare with the same period in 1979.
§ Mr. AlisonBetween 1 December 1979 and 31 March 1980 the fact that a driver was under the influence of alcohol is believed to have been the principal cause of 63 road accidents in which 12 people died.
During the same period last year drink is thought to have been primarily responsible for 100 accidents in which four people died.
The success of the campaign can better be judged by comparing the number of accidents in which alcohol was a major factor than by comparing numbers of deaths, since more than one death can occur in one accident. In terms of accidents the campaign can be adjudged a considerable success resulting in a 37 per cent. reduction.