§ 22. Mr. Roger KingTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the statistics for drinking and driving in the Province.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyIn Northern Ireland there has been a downward trend over the last 10 years in road deaths due to alcohol or drugs, from 53 in 1980 to 35 in 1989.
While this trend is welcome, any death caused by drinking and driving is entirely avoidable.
We shall continue to work with the drink industry, hoteliers, publicans and club organisers in order to influence public attitudes towards the unacceptability of drinking and driving.
We each have responsibilities: as hosts to provide a range of alcohol-free drinks for our guests; as drivers to refrain from drinking and driving; as passengers to choose a non-drinking driver.