HC Deb 30 June 1988 vol 136 cc326-7W
Sir Bernard Braine

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps are being taken to ensure that the precise number and relative proportions of deaths among drivers, passengers and pedestrians in road traffic accidents which are alcohol related are accurately recorded.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

It is believed that virtually all fatal accidents are reported. The STATS 19 Accident Report form records whether any of the involved drivers-riders were required to take a breath test and, if they were, what the result was. Not all drink-drive accidents are identified as such. It is not always possible to administer breath tests at the scene of an accident and the drunken driver may die or be so badly injured that he is unable to provide a sample of breath.

It is known that many accidents involving minor injuries are not reported to the police.

Coroners in England and Wales and procurators fiscal in Scotland supply data to the Transport and Road Research Laboratory describing the blood-alcohol levels of people aged 16 or over who died within 12 hours of being injured in a road accident; these are matched with information from the STATS 19 form. Returns for approximately 60 per cent. of these fatalities are currently received. The Department is encouraging coroners and procurators fiscal to help improve this vital source of information.

Sir Bernard Braine

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of crashes involving more than one vehicle resulting in deaths of individuals without alcohol in their blood are caused by drivers with illegal blood alcohol levels.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

I shall be writing to my right hon. Friend.

Sir Bernard Braine

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the value of breath test surveys of the frequency of drinking and driving as a bench mark against which to judge whether counter-measures against the problem are having an effect; and what studies have been authorised of the frequency of drinking and driving.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

The roadside surveys of drinking and driving completed earlier this month will provide an indicator of the effectiveness of drink driving counter-measures. The results are now being analysed.