Drink driving a concern in Britain

The problem of drink driving is seeing an unwelcome upsurge on Britain’s road network. The latest official data reveals that casualties from drink driving are now on the increase. According to Department for Transport data, there were 9,040 people killed or seriously injured (KSI) as a result of drink driving on the British road network in 2016. Complete figures for 2017 have yet to be compiled but the trend appears to have continued. The KSI figures for 2016 represent a 7% increase over those for 2015 and
August 10, 2018 Read time: 2 mins

The problem of drink driving is seeing an unwelcome upsurge on Britain’s road network. The latest official data reveals that casualties from drink driving are now on the increase. According to 5432 Department for Transport data, there were 9,040 people killed or seriously injured (KSI) as a result of drink driving on the British road network in 2016. Complete figures for 2017 have yet to be compiled but the trend appears to have continued. The KSI figures for 2016 represent a 7% increase over those for 2015 and are the highest since 2012. Meanwhile there were 230 road deaths in 2016 due to drink driving, compared with 200 in 2015.

Several bodies focussing on road safety are urging the British Government to take action. The UK’s biggest independent road safety charity IAM RoadSmart has called on communities to join the fight against drink driving.

IAM RoadSmart has called for an increase in resources for police to apprehend drink drivers, as well as an increased focus on those caught on persistent drink-drive reoffending and those dramatically over the limit.

Rebecca Ashton, head of driver behaviour at IAM RoadSmart, said: “These figures are very disappointing. It is not just the job of the police to stop drink-driving – we can all play a part.

“Often those who drink heavily do so in the company of others – we all cannot turn a blind eye while those same people pick up their car keys and head off home.

“If we really care for our friends and family, we should do our utmost to stop them from taking such dangerous and potentially fatal.”

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • The risk of drugged driving on Europe’s roads
    February 14, 2018
    Drivers under the influence of drugs present a major hazard to road safety, according to a new report. This publication is being highlighted by the Pan-European police agency, TISPOL, in a bid to improve road safety and cut casualties. The risk from driving under the influence of psychoactive drugs results in road fatalities and injuries from crashes right across Europe, according to the report. The problem related to both legal prescription medication, as well as illegal drugs. Both classifications can be
    Read More
  • European Police enforcement actions target offenders
    April 8, 2014
    Police enforcement actions in Europe against trucks and buses have helped boost road safety and arrest criminals. One week long operation resulted in 4,400 trucks being removed from the road network due to dangerous defects. The action followed checks of more than 137,000 trucks across 26 countries and was co-ordinated by TISPOL, the European Traffic Police Network. The operation saw police carrying out a wide range of safety inspections that focused on speeding, alcohol, drugs, seatbelt use, tachograph inf
    Read More
  • Government is “Passing Water Pollution Buck to the Car Industry”, experts warn.
    August 23, 2019
    The Government acknowledged the serious and growing impacts of poisonous particle pollution from brake, tyre and road surface wear on the environment and human health - but diverted attention away from the immediate and urgent need to stop it entering directly into rivers and streams, water quality specialists have warned. Environment Minister Therese Coffey responded to a scientific report published by the Air Quality Expert Group by telling car and tyre manufacturers to prepare to reduce non-exhaust em
    Read More
  • Niger suffers dangerous roads
    December 8, 2022
    Niger suffers badly from its dangerous roads.
    Read More

Highlighted Content