Articles | Drink-drive death toll declines

Drink-drive death toll declines

Published: Thursday, 7 August 2008, 11:14AM

The number of deaths from drink-drive accidents in Britain fell 18 per cent last year, Government figures show.

The Department of Transport said there were 460 fatalities in 2007 compared with 560 in 2006.

Those seriously injured in drink-drive crashes fell 11 per cent to 1,760 but slight injuries rose 4 per cent to 12,260.

Overall, there was a 2 per cent rise in the number of drink-drive accidents with the figure rising from 9,400 in 2006 to 9,620 in 2007.

Transport Minister Rosie Winterton said: "Drink driving ruins lives. That is why it is such good news that the number of people killed or seriously hurt in this way fell to an all-time low last year.

"But any death or injury caused by a drink driver is one too many, and we will continue our efforts to tackle this serious issue.

"Thirty years of Government campaigns and enforcement work by the courts and police are having a positive effect, but we can always do more.

"That is why we plan a consultation for later this year looking at increasing compliance with road safety regulations, including how to make it easier for the police to enforce against drink driving."