5 October 2004 - National Statistics by Department for Transport Shows Rise in Fatal Road Accidents
Provisional estimates for Britain's road
casualties in 2003, show that fatalities involving drink driving, rose by
2%, as compared with 2002. Fatalities refer to victims who died as a
result of their injuries within 30 days of the accident.
There has been, however, a fall in total casualties, due to drink driving,
which is estimated at 5%.
Total number of deaths connected to drink driving was a staggering 560 in
2003, which was the highest amount in 7 Years.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), once again call
for the limit, deemed as the safe level, to be lowered from 80mg to 50mg and
estimates this reduction could save 50 lives per year.
RoSPA also calls for an introduction of better police powers to breath
tests. RoSPA say they believe "people would be less inclined to flout the
law, if they feared they could be tested anywhere and at anytime".
The total number of deaths associated with drink driving in Britain in 2003,
was 3,508, which was 2% more than in 2002.
The Road Casualties Great Britain 2003, Annual Report by the Department for
Transport provides a much fuller account of road casualties within the
United Kingdom, which follows the summary of provisional statistics in the
June publication.
Some key facts from the report:
-
number of people seriously injured fell to 33,707, down 6% from 2002
-
total casualties were 290,607, 4% fewer
-
total number of children killed or seriously injured fell 11%
-
pedestrian casualties fell 6%, the number of killed or seriously injured pedestrians was down 8%
-
13% of all road accident casualties and 22% of those who died in road accidents were pedestrians
-
the number of deaths among users of 2-wheeled motor vehicles increased by 14% to 693
-
the number of pedal cyclists killed or seriously injured fell 2%, fatalities fell 12%.
Kevin Clinton, RoSPA Head of Road Safety commented:
“All the evidence points to the road safety benefits of reducing the drink-drive limit. We believe there would be wide public support for this and are frustrated that the Government continues to oppose a measure which would save lives.
After years of successful campaigning we are now facing a situation where drink-drive deaths are on the increase again and something has to be done before things get even worse. The likely introduction of a Road Safety Bill this autumn provides an ideal opportunity for the Government to act”.
Article by Alexandra Johnston
