§ 19. Mr. Nealeasked the Minister of Transport how many accidents in the winter were due to drinking and driving.
§ Mr. FowlerI regret that information in this form is not available. But I would draw attention to the findings of the Blennerhassett committee that alcohol was a factor in 25 per cent. of accidents. Over the Christmas and new year period 209W special campaigns were carried out by a number of police forces.
§ 48. Mr. Mawbyasked the Minister of Transport what effect he estimates road improvements have had on the accident rate over the last 10 years.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeRoad improvements undoubtedly contributed substantially to the impressive fall in the injury accident rate, from 129 per 100 million vehicle kilometres in 1969 to 95 in 1978, but it is not possible to isolate their effect from that of other road safety measures.