§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what resources have been allocated for the campaign to deter drink-driving over the Christmas period. [19843]
§ Ms Glenda Jackson[holding answer 9 December 1997]: The Department has allocated £1.9 million to the 1997 Christmas Drink/Drive campaign. The campaign uses national television supported by cinema and radio advertising. Print material for use in pubs, clubs and restaurants and by road safety officers has also been distributed.
The Department's campaigns have over the years helped to change the general public's attitude to drink driving to a point where such behaviour is no longer generally acceptable. Deaths have fallen from 1,643 in 1979 to 540 in 1993 and remain steady at this level.
This year's campaign takes a new approach and addresses those drivers who deceive themselves that they know how much they can drink and still be safe to drive, and who fail to recognise the increased risk they pose to themselves and other road users.