§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Transport what statistical or other evidence is available to his Department regarding the success or lack of success of previous campaigns designed to discourage drinking and driving during the festive season.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe Department has two main sources of information available to assess the effect of previous campaigns on this subject. Specially designed surveys have been conducted before and after each campaign to determine any changes in peoples' attitudes to drinking and driving and the risks involved, while casualty figures have also been analysed for any changes
An assessment of the campaigns' effect has been made in "Road Accidents Great Britain" each year since 1977. Copies are available in the Library.
§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions took place between his Department and the drink industry in 1983 and 1984 on the issue of the participation of that industry in campaigns designed to curb the consumption of alcohol by drivers; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ChalkerIn 1983 my Department met the Brewers Society on a number of occasions to advise on the technical content of three road safety films to which the society was providing financial support. These films, developed by the road safety education unit at Reading university with the assistance of ROSPA, are designed to make young people more aware of the dangers involved in drinking and driving.
In May this year I attended the Brewers Society's press launch of these films where I expressed my hope that the drinks industry as a whole would continue to lend its support to efforts aimed at reducing the incidence of drinking and driving. I am glad to say that the society yesterday launched a nationwide campaign "Don't gamble with your licence", the theme of which is designed to support the Department's own campaign.