§ Mr. ÖpikTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions in what proportion of road deaths he estimates alcohol is a contributing factor; and if he will make a statement. [28953]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonIn 1996, a total of 15,500 people were killed or injured in accidents involving a driver over the legal limit of 80 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood. Of those, an estimated 540 were fatalities. Records of the blood or breath alcohol reading of a driver involved in an accident are not normally kept in cases where the level is below the legal limit.
The consultation paper "Combating drink driving: next steps" reviews the available data on drink-drive accidents and estimates the likely effect of a reduction in the legal blood alcohol limit. Copies have been placed in the Library.
§ Mr. ÖpikTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proportion of road accidents and deaths are caused by (i) excessive lorry driver hours, (ii) tachograph interference and (iii) defective lorries; and if he will make a statement. [28954]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonComprehensive information is not collected on causation factors in road accidents. It is not therefore possible to supply the specific information requested. The Department is, however, undertaking a number of research projects in order to improve its knowledge of accident causation generally. We are also planning research into the relationship between driving and working hours and fatigue related accidents.