HC Deb 16 July 1987 vol 119 cc570-1W
Dr. Godman

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what statistical information he has, on an annual basis, covering the number of drivers and passengers killed in motor vehicle accidents where consumption of alcohol by one or more of the drivers is shown to be a significant factor;

(2) what statistical information he has, on an annual basis, regarding the number of pedestrians killed or injured by motor vehicles where consumption of alcohol by a driver is shown to be a significant factor;

(3) what statistical information he has, on an annual basis, regarding the number of cyclists killed or injured by motor vehicles where consumption of alcohol by a driver is shown to be a significant factor;

(4) what information he has regarding the periods of the day in Scotland when road accidents in which alcohol is a contributory factor are most likely to occur.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

Statistics of road users killed or injured in accidents in which alcohol was a significant factor are not available. However, the results of breath tests which motor vehicle drivers or riders may be required to undertake after being involved in an injury road accident are included in standard statistical returns held centrally. The table shows casualties associated with accidents in which at least one driver or rider failed a breath test in 1986:

Severity of Injury
Casualties Fatal Serious Slight Total
Motor vehicle drivers/riders 7 250 594 851
Motor vehicle passengers 16 221 421 658

Severity of Injury
Casualties Fatal Serious Slight Total
Pedestrians 11 63 74 148
Pedal cyclists 0 1 3 4
TOTAL 34 535 1,092 1,661

The number of drivers and riders involved in injury road accidents, the number breath-tested, and the number of failures at different times of the day are given in table 15 of "Road Accidents, Scotland 1986", published today by the Government Statistical Service.

Information about the blood alcohol concentrations of a limited number of road users aged 16 or more who died within 12 hours of involvement in a road accident is also available: and inferences from these statistics as regards the numbers of deaths of car travellers and pedestrians in which alcohol was a factor are to be found in paragraphs 5.4 and 5.5 of "Road Accidents, Scotland 1986".