§ Mr. AtkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many drivers involved in accidents were found to have been drinking over the limit in 1988; how this number has changed over the past 10 years; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyDrivers involved in accidents who are not seriously injured may be breath-tested following the accident. In 1988, it is estimated that 75,000 drivers were so tested, of whom nearly 14 per cent., or just over 10,000, failed. In addition, coroners' reports on drivers who die in road accidents show that about 20 per cent. in 1988, or about 400, had a blood alcohol content above the legal limit.
The following tables show (a) the numbers tested following injury accidents each year since 1979 and the numbers failing; and (b) the percentages of drivers killed in accidents who had a high blood alcohol content.
Table A Drivers and riders in accidents Numbers breath tested, and failing Numbers tested Numbers failing 1979 41,000 14,100 1980 41,600 13,400 1981 41,000 12,300 1982 43,300 13,500 1983 42,300 12,400 1984 43,500 12,600 1985 44,700 12,600 1986 61,200 11,900 1987 65,000 11,000 1 1988 75,000 10,200
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Table B Percentage of drivers or riders killed in road accidents, whose blood alcohol level is above the legal limit Killed Per cent. over limit 1979 2,700 32 1980 2,500 31 1981 2,500 30 1982 2,500 33 1983 2,200 28
Killed Per cent. over limit 1984 2,200 26 1985 2,100 26 1986 2,200 24 1987 2,100 23 1 1988 2,100 21 1 Provisional. As the figures show, both the numbers of drivers failing the breath test, and the proportion killed who have a high blood alcohol content have been falling. This indicates a real fall in the amount of drinking and driving that occurs, although the levels are still too high.
We must continue our efforts to change public attitudes so as to accelerate this fall in drink-drive levels, and so reduce the number of accidents on our roads.