Drink drive deaths up in 2012 despite fewer accidents
Drink drivers were more deadly in 2012, according to provisional figures from the Department for Transport.
An estimated 290 people were killed by drivers over the legal alcohol limit in 2012, compared to 2011, around 25% more than in 2011. This meant drink drivers made up 17% of all reported road deaths last year. Since 2008, drink drivers have been found to be responsible for around 15% of road deaths.
This comes despite the number of drink drive-related accidents actually decreasing in 2012, by 4% to 6,680.
There was also a 5% slip in the number of people seriously injured in drink drive accidents to 1,1210.
DfT’s provisional figure have a history of being considerably off the mark. Estimated drink drive deaths in 2011 was 280, but the final figure slipped to 230.
Lower limit
The current drink drive limit is 80mg of alcohol per 100ml. However, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) is calling for the Government to lower it to 50 mg per 100 ml blood like in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Kevin Clinton, RoSPA’s Head of Road Safety, branded 2012’s increase in drink-drive deaths was “very disturbing”.
He said: “A lower drink-drive limit would save many lives each year, while effective enforcement of the drink drive law is essential, and should be high profile and highly visible in order to enhance its effect as a deterrent.
“Drivers should realise that if they choose to drink and drive there is a strong chance that they will be detected and prosecuted and that the penalties will be severe.”