§ 19. Mrs. GillanTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many breathalyser tests were carried out on motorists in England and Wales over the Christmas and new year period; how many of these were positive; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleA total of 59,069 tests were carried out, of which 4,248, or 7.2 per cent., were positive. The proportion of positive tests was slightly lower than for the previous Christmas. There has been a continuing downward trend in drink-drive accidents; the number of fatalities has more than halved in the last decade, to around 700 in 1991. We are determined to get this number even lower.