HC Deb 06 November 2000 vol 356 cc25-7W
Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what research he has evaluated as to the age groups most prone to drinking and driving; and if he will make a statement; [136505]

(2) what research he has commissioned on the best ways to discourage drinking and driving; [136511]

Mr. Hill

The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions has commissioned a wide-ranging programme of research into drinking and driving. This research has included trends in drinking and driving, and characteristics of drink drive offenders, including the age distribution. Research has also evaluated the drink drive rehabilitation scheme and reviewed the High Risk Offender scheme. Other research has considered drink drivers' attitudes to enforcement and penalties. Much of this research is reflected in the Government's Road Safety Strategy "Tomorrows Roads—Safer for Everyone". The following research reports, published by the Transport Research Laboratory, are relevant:

  • Drinking and driving in Great Britain—a review. G. Maycock. TRL Report 232. 1997.
  • The high risk offender scheme for drink-drivers. G. P. Davies et al. TRL Report 394. 1999.
  • Drink/driver rehabilitation courses in England and Wales. G. P. Davies et al. TRL Report 426. 1999.
  • Unlawful driving behaviour: a criminological perspective. C. Corbett et al. TRL Contractor Report CR 301. 1992.

Copies of these reports have been placed in the Library of the House of Commons.

An analysis of drink-drive data, including trends in accidents involving illegal alcohol levels, casualty and accident characteristics and breath test outcomes is included annually in Road Accidents Great Britain.

The Department also commissions market research into the attitudes of those who drink and drive so that its advertising can be effectively directed.

Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many(a) deaths and (b) serious injuries in the last 10 years have been attributed to drinking and driving. [136503]

Mr. Hill

The data required are given in the table.

The estimated number of fatalities in accidents involving illegal alcohol levels in the years 1989–99 was 6,520, and the estimated number of serious injuries for the same time period was 35,170.

Table 2a: Estimates of casualties involving illegal alcohol levels and the consequent casualties adjusted for under reporting: 1988–99
Number
Year Fatal Serious Slight Total
1988 790 5,100 16,860 22,740
1989 810 4,790 16,620 22,220
1990 760 4,090 15,550 20,400
1991 660 3,610 13,610 17,880
1992 660 3,280 12,770 16,710
1993 540 2,660 11,780 14,980
1994 540 2,840 11,780 15,160
1995 540 3,000 12,450 16,000
1996 580 3,010 13,450 17,040
1997 550 2,940 13,310 16,800
1998 460 2,520 12,610 15,590
19991 420 2,430 13,980 16,830
1 Provisional data. Final fatality data from coroners are available for 1998 but 1999 estimates are based on around three-quarters of expected coroners' returns and may be biased. They remain provisional until more complete information for 1999 is available.

Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research he has commissioned on the impact of insurance costs for drivers aged 17 to 25 on the rate of drinking and driving. [136504]

Mr. Hill

None.