28% increase in fatal casualties from drink driving

5.16.46pm GMT Mon 5th Dec 2005

New Liberal Democrat Research reveals the extent to which the battle to reduce drink driving is being lost.

The analysis, taken from recent Parliamentary Answers, reveals that since Labour came to power in 1997:

· There has been a drop of a third in breath tests;

· There has been a 13% decline of immediate custody for drink driving related offences;

· Sentences for drink driving has fallen by 6%

The figures vary greatly by police force, a full break down is given in notes to editors.

In addition, since 1998 there has been an 11% increase in accidents resulting from drink driving, and a 28% increase in fatal casualties.

Commenting, Tom Brake MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Transport Secretary, said:

"The Government's campaign would have more credibility if they legislated to reduce the legal alcohol limit, there is an opportunity to do so in the upcoming road safety bill.

"They should also increase the number of breath tests on motorists as these have fallen by a third since Labour came to power in 1997.

"The fall in those given immediate custody for drink driving is also very worrying and sends the wrong message at a time when the fatalities involving road accidents caused by alcohol has increased by 28% in the last 6 years."