- December is the second worst month for drink-drive crashes, and the fourth worst for people killed and seriously injured, demonstrating drink-driving is a danger at Christmas and year-round, according to a new analysis by Brake
- Between 2012 and 2019 the highest number of drink-driving crashes and people killed or seriously injured occurred, on average, during the month of August
- Between 2012 and 2019, there were 46,860 drink-driving-related crashes, causing 1,860 deaths and 13,340 serious injuries
- Brake is calling on drivers to have none for the road this Christmas, and to make a new year’s resolution to have none for the road year-round, as any amount of alcohol can impair driving ability.
While many people may consider December to be the worst month for drink-driving, a new analysis by Brake shows how it is a year-round, killer offence.
Brake looked at data covering the eight-year period between 2012 and 2019, which showed that on average the month of August saw the highest number of drink-driving crashes (4,170), as well as people killed or seriously injured (6,260) [1].
December was, however, still a peak month for drink-driving. It was the second worst month for drink-driving crashes (4,150) and the fourth worst for people killed and seriously injured (6,020) in the same period, according to the analysis.
Overall, between 2012 and 2019, there were a staggering 46,860 drink-driving-related crashes, causing 1,860 deaths and 13,340 serious injuries [2].
Estimated number of reported drink-drive crashes and casualties, by month (highest figures appear from left to right in both categories): Great Britain, 2012–2019. [1]
Brake has used the publication of today’s figures to renew its calls for people when driving – the most dangerous activity most adults do – to not drink any alcohol. England and Wales has the highest drink-drive limit in Europe, at 80mg alcohol per 100ml blood (compared with the norm of 50mg, as implemented in Scotland in December 2014). This higher alcohol limit risks a view that some alcohol before driving is acceptable, when any amount of alcohol impairs [3].
While the reduction of the alcohol limit in Scotland has not been proven as yet to help lower the number of road crashes caused by drink-driving in the country [4], it does send a clearer message to Scottish drivers that it is never acceptable to drink and drive.
Brake says that the evidence is clear that any amount of alcohol affects driving ability and so a zero-tolerance limit must be implemented to protect road users. Such a limit would effectively ban any level of drink-driving, but have leeway to allow for accidental exposure, such as through using mouthwash.
Jason Wakeford, head of campaigns at Brake, said: “Thousands of people are being needlessly killed and injured at the hands of drink-drivers every month. We need to change the culture around drink-driving, starting with more awareness that any amount can be deadly.
“While measures such as effective ongoing police enforcement and public information campaigns, including THINK!, are helping to reduce deaths and injuries, Government should follow Scotland’s lead and reduce the legal limit, as per the call from the Safe Roads For All Alliance [5]. Such a move would make it clear to drivers that no amount of alcohol is safe when behind the wheel.”
References
- Please see table in press release above. Brake analysis of Drink-drive accidents and casualties 2019, Department for Transport, table RAS51011.
- Department for Transport: Drink-drive accidents and casualties 2019, table RAS51001.
- A. Arnedt, W. Wilde, M. Munt, and M. Maclean, “Simulated driving performance following prolonged wakefulness and alcohol consumption: separate and combined contributions to impairment,” Journal of Sleep Research, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 233–241, 2000.
- National Institute for Health Research: A lower drink-drive limit in Scotland is not linked to reduced road traffic accidents as expected.
- https://www.saferoadsforall.org/.
For more information: Jason Wakeford – jwakeford@brake.org.uk.