Drink-driving statistics ‘concerning and unwelcome’

The Spirits Business

By Melita Kiely

August 8, 2017

The Portman Group has condemned a rise in drink-driving casualties as “concerning and unwelcome”, but emphasised there has been a “decade of progress” in changing consumer attitudes.

The statement comes following statistics released by the Department for Transport (DfT), which estimated that 1,370 people were killed or seriously injured in the UK in collisions involving drivers who were under the influence of alcohol – a 4% increase on 1,310 in 2014. The DfT said this was the “highest estimate since 2012”.

The estimated overall number of accidents where at least one driver was over the legal alcohol limit rose 2% to 5,730 in 2015.

But since 1979, the number of drink-driving accidents has fallen by 71%, with a 73% drop in casualties.

Despite the rise in statistics for 2015, the Portman Group stressed the importance of placing these numbers “in context”.

“Drink driving is simply unacceptable and any deaths or serious injuries that occur as a result of it are tragic and deplorable,” said a spokesperson for the Portman Group. “Today’s data showing a slight uplift in the number of people killed or seriously injured from drink driving is concerning and unwelcome.

“However, it is important that we place these numbers in context – this is the first increase in deaths or serious injuries since 2011 and follows more than a decade of progress in changing attitudes and behaviour around alcohol and driving.

“The industry has demonstrated its commitment to tackle this issue, is not complacent about the progress that has been made and will continue to support anti-drink drive and designated driver campaigns.”