RAC on DD
Police need resources to target Drink Drivers says RAC Foundation
Figures released yesterday revealed that of the 3221 deaths on the roads in 2004, 590 (18%) were related to drink driving.
In response to this news, the RAC Foundation is calling for more traffic police to target drink drivers and get them off the roads.
It is concerned that the reductions in the number killed and seriously injured in drink drive related accidents in the 1980s and early 1990s (from 9,000 to under 4,000) are no longer being made. The number killed fell to a low of 460 deaths in 1998 but has risen to an estimated 590 in 2004.
In 2003, 17 per cent of road deaths occurred when the driver was over the limit. In the early 1980’s around one third of drivers killed were over the limit.
Provisional figures show thirty five per cent of drivers and riders aged between 30-39 killed were over the limit compared to 30% of those aged 20-29 and 23% of those aged 16-19 in 2004.
Drivers aged less than thirty have the most drink drive accidents but the 17 – 24 age group are most at risk as they drive fewer miles. Seventeen to 19 year olds are more likely to have accidents so the proportion of those drink related will be lower.
Edmund King, executive director of the RAC Foundation said:
"We believe that more traffic police would be a deterrent to drink drivers. The lack of visible evidence of enforcement of drink driving adds to the perception that people can simply do it and get away with it. We need to see a greater police presence on our roads rather than just cameras."
"The facts prove that we have a growing problem with drinking and driving in the UK and that there is a need to understand why, despite years of campaigning, the problem still exists to this extent.
"The message is not getting through to some. It is horrifying to see that almost one fifth of drivers killed are over the legal limit.
Jay GTi said:
I'm not sure why this is a problem, surely speed cameras catch drunk drivers all the time? That's why we need more cameras and less dedicated TrafPol. Fantasic devices them speed cameras...
I hope you are only jesting about scamaras being fantastic devices.
If not, you are a sad fool, that believes all the shite doctored information that the government release about these devices.
Also you would not be saying this if one of your family or friends was killed by a muppet the can't use a taxi when they've been drinking.
motormonk said:
I hope you are only jesting about scamaras being fantastic devices.
Err.. Read that again. it is obviously satire.
Thats the problem with typed comments you never know which way to take them.
Anyway how do you know this person doesn't think scameras are the greatest thing since sliced bread!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My Grandfather and Cousin were both killed by drunk drivers, and surprise surprise both drunk drivers were driving below the speed limt at the time. Hence why I have rather a big problem with the this stupid 'War on Speeding' when it's allowing far more serious driving offences like this to increase!
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