§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many deaths on Britain's roads are associated with the taking of alcohol.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyToo many, even though the numbers are falling.
In 1986, the latest year for which full figures are available, there were about 950 deaths in crashes where at least one of the drivers or riders had a blood/breath alcohol level above the legal limit. In addition, 30 per cent. (approximately 400 people) of the adult pedestrians killed in road accidents had a blood alcohol level above the legal limit for driving.
It cannot be assumed that alcohol consumption caused every death as we do not collect information on the cause of accidents.