HC Deb 12 February 1990 vol 167 cc107-8W
69. Mr. Beith

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to reduce the number of alcohol-related traffic accidents.

Mr. Atkins

The most effective way of reducing such accidents is the increasing recognition by drivers that society will not tolerate drinking and driving. I welcome this change in attitude, reflected in the reduced number of accidents linked with alcohol misuse. But it is still a major cause of death and injury on the road. We shall continue through publicity, through working with the drinks industry to encourage responsible behaviour, through enforcement action by the police and through effective application of the law to seek to cut this waste of human lives.

70. Mr. Harry Barnes

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give the latest available annual figure for road deaths to(a) children and (b) adults killed near pedestrian crossings.

Mr. Atkins

In 1988, a total of 281 adults and 28 children were killed in road accidents that took place within 50m of a zebra or pelican crossing and, in particular, 222 of the adults and 24 of the children were pedestrians at the time of the accidents.

Of the pedestrian fatalities, 41 per cent. of the adults and 50 per cent. of the children were in the carriageway using the pedestrian crossing. Most of the remainder were in the carriageway, either within the zig-zag lines on the approach and exit to the crossing, or at some other point within a distance of 50m of the crossing. One child and six adults were on the footpath at the time of the accident.