Drink-driving deaths reach four-year high
Government report shows around 9,040 people were either killed or injured in 2016 as a result of drink-driving
The number of people killed while driving over the legal alcohol limit is at its highest since 2012.
A report by the Government’s Department of Transport reveals that 9,040 people in 2016 were either killed or injured as a result of an accident where a driver was over the alcohol limit - a 7% increase on the previous year.
Of those 9,040, the department estimates between 220 and 250 people died in accidents involving a drink-driver, a “significant rise” over the 170 alcohol-related deaths behind the wheel in 2015, Autocar reports.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The figures also show that drink-driving was responsible for 13% of all deaths on Britain’s roads in 2016, while the total number of accidents caused by a driver over the legal limit rose by 6% to 6,070, the magazine says.
According to the Daily Mail, 6.1% of all car accidents in Wales are caused by a drink-driving, followed by Scotland at 5.3% and England at 4.9%.
Joshua Harris, the chief of road safety charity Brake said drink-driving laws gave motorists “false impressions” that driving under the influence of alcohol is safe, The Guardian reports.
“How many more lives must be needlessly lost before the government acts on drink-driving?”, he added. “Today’s figures show that drink-driving is an increasing blight on British roads and yet the government sits on its hands and refuses to address the issue.”
Meanwhile, the head of breathalyser firm AlcoSense, Hunter Abbott, said: “Even with just one-eighth of the current English limit, you are 37% more likely to be involved in a fatal road accident than when sober.”
“At 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood (0.35mg of alcohol per litre of breath), we have the highest drink-drive limit in the developed world. Lowering it could save many lives”, he said.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'Making a police state out of the liberal university'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
8 looming climate tipping points that imperil our planet
The Explainer New reports detail the thresholds we may be close to crossing
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Try 6 free issues of The Week Junior
Spark your child's curiosity with The Week Junior - the award-winning current affairs magazine for 8-14s.
By The Week Published
-
The nonalcoholic beverages you should absolutely be drinking this year
The Week Recommends So many ways to drink well
By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published
-
Drink like the stars: five celebrity-backed alcohol brands
The Week Recommends Tipples with star appeal – from Brad Pitt’s Oscars champagne to Kylie’s prosecco
By Mike Starling Published
-
Sport on TV guide: Christmas 2022 and New Year listings
Speed Read Enjoy a feast of sporting action with football, darts, rugby union, racing, NFL and NBA
By Mike Starling Published
-
Discover the historical craft of Louis XIII cognac in Cognac
Under the Radar Learn about the secrets of making cognac at the prestigious Grollet Estate
By Yasemen Kaner-White Published
-
Halloween drinks: six spooky bottles to get the party started
The Week Recommends Featuring gruesome glow-in-the-dark and sinister skull-shaped designs
By The Week Staff Published
-
Eve Bar London review: clever, creative cocktails and Michelin-starred snacks
The Week Recommends This cosy basement bar is located under Frog, Adam Handling’s acclaimed Covent Garden restaurant
By Neil Davey Last updated
-
House of the Dragon: what to expect from the Game of Thrones prequel
Speed Read Ten-part series, set 200 years before GoT, will show the incestuous decline of Targaryen
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
One in 20 young Americans identify as trans or non-binary
Speed Read New research suggests that 44% of US adults know someone who is transgender
By The Week Staff Published