HC Deb 28 April 1987 vol 115 cc69-71W
Mr. Peter Bruinvels

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he has any plans for a drink-driving campaign during the summer months.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

Yes. Plans for the Government's campaign against drinking and driving will concentrate advertising resources during the summer, autumn and pre-Christmas periods. This is only part of a 365 days a year effort against this unacceptable behaviour.

The advertising will support other publicity initiatives using a variety of promotional methods and media in close collaboration with police, local authorities and others.

The continuing campaign will rely greatly on the public, the press, television and radio to bring pressure to bear on irresponsible elements who endanger their own lives and the lives of others by mixing drinking and driving.

Mr. Spearing

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what statistics he has on an annual basis, covering the number of drivers and passengers killed in motor vehicle accidents where consumption of alcohol by one or more of the drivers is shown to be a significant factor.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

The number of drivers/riders and passengers who were killed in road accidents in which any driver or rider either(a) subsequently failed a breath test or (b) was shown, on autopsy, to have a blood alcohol level in excess of the legal limit is as follows:

Great Britain: 1984: Death in drink-drive accidents
Number
Driver/riders 414
Passengers 235

Mr. Spearing

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what data he has concerning the periods of the day in England and Wales when road accidents in which alcohol is a contributory factor do and are more likely to occur.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

The table gives some indication of involvement of drivers or riders over the legal limit.

Drivers/riders failing breath test: by hour of day: England and Wales 1985
Hour beginning Number of driver/riders involved in accidents Number of driver/riders failing breath test Proportion
Per cent.
— 6,748 1,198 17.18
1 4,236 905 21.4
2 3,279 676 20.6
3 1,455 297 20.4
4 1,066 131 12.3
5 1,586 68 4.3
6 3,716 49 1.3
7 13,677 48 0.4
8 23,766 38 0.2
9 15,107 34 0.2
10 15,107 42 0.3
11 18,991 53 0.3
12 21,873 72 0.3
13 21,283 116 0.5
14 21,113 353 1.7
15 25,845 584 2.3
16 29,720 520 1.7
17 31,200 469 1.5
18 21,122 381 1.8
19 18,890 406 2.1
20 15,338 496 3.2
21 13,058 614 4.7
22 13,392 1,173 8.8
23 16,935 2,626 15.5
Total 358,748 11,349 3.2

Mr. Spearing

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what statistics he has, on an annual basis, concerning the number of pedestrians killed or injured by motor vehicles where consumption of alcohol by a driver is shown to be a significant factor.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

The number of pedestrians who were killed or injured by drivers or riders who subsequently failed a breath test is as follows:

Great Britain—1985
Number
Killed 107
Seriously injured 431
Slightly injured 583
Total 1,121

Mr. Sheerman

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many road users, including pedestrians, pedal cyclists and children, were killed or injured on the roads by a driver with a raised blood alcohol level; and if he will provide distributions of casualties and rates by hour of day, for 1975 and 1985 separately, for (a) Scotland and (b) England and Wales.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

I shall answer this question shortly.