Drink-drive death toll at record low

THE number of deaths in drink-drive accidents fell to an all-time low last year.

Deaths were down five per cent, falling from 400 in 2008 to 380 in 2009, while serious injuries were down nine per cent to 1,480.

Slight injuries fell eight per cent to 10,130, while the actual number of accidents involving a death remained unchanged at 350.

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The number of drink-drive accidents fell seven per cent to 8,050, the statistics being based on road accidents reported to police involving drinking and driving in Britain in 2009.

Road Safety Minister Mike Penning said: "I am encouraged by these latest figures.

"But 380 people still died because a small minority of drivers risked getting behind the wheel after drinking. We will continue to work to tackle this irresponsible minority and protect law-abiding road users."

The Government also published provisional casualty figures for all types of accidents for British roads for the first three months of 2010. There were 420 deaths in the January-March 2010 period – 24 per cent fewer than in the same period in 2009.