§ Mr. HigginsTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has on the number of countries which have reduced the level of drunken driving at a faster rate than the United Kingdom over the past five years; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe percentage of drivers and riders killed in road accidents in the United Kingdom over the past five years whose blood alcohol level was above the legal limit fell from 28 per cent. in 1983 to 21 per cent. in 1988.
The number of drivers and riders involved in accidents over the same period who were breath-tested rose from 42,300 to 75,000, yet the number that failed the test fell from 12,400 to 10,200. We are not aware of any other country in which the level of drinking and driving has fallen at a faster rate than these indicators show.
§ Mr. CryerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the mean blood alcohol concentration of drivers and riders with illegal blood alcohol levels killed in road traffic accidents in total and by age groups in(a) England and Wales and (b) Scotland.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe mean blood alcohol concentration of drivers and riders killed in road accidents can be calculated from coroners' reports. As we do not have complete reports for all such drivers or riders, the following figures are based on samples, and cannot reasonably be disaggregated beyond the levels given. The table shows the levels requested for England and Wales, Scotland, Great Britain, and an age breakdown for Great Britain.
Mean blood alcohol concentrations of drivers and riders killed in road accidents with a BAC above the legal limit: 1987 mean blood/ alcohol level (mgs per 100 ml) England and Wales 180 Scotland 205 Great Britain Age 16–24 165 Age 25–39 185 Age over 40 200 Total 180 Because of the small numbers involved, care must be taken in comparing these levels. In particular, the information for Scotland is based on a very small sample, and so is liable to a large degree of error.
§ Mr. CryerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans there are for repeating the 1988 breath test surveys of the frequency of drinking and driving; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AtkinsI refer the hon. Member to the reply of 24 May to my hon. Friend the Member for Mid-Kent (Mr. Rowe) col.558. The surveys are now under way.