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Drink-drive deaths show 26% rise Drink-drive deaths show 26% rise
(35 minutes later)
The number of deaths in drink-drive accidents on Britain's roads soared by 26% in 2012, provisional figures show.The number of deaths in drink-drive accidents on Britain's roads soared by 26% in 2012, provisional figures show.
A total of 290 people were killed last year, compared with 230 in 2011, the Department for Transport said. A total of 290 people were killed last year, compared with 230 in 2011, the Department for Transport (DfT) said.
It also said 6,680 accidents in 2012 were linked to alcohol consumption.It also said 6,680 accidents in 2012 were linked to alcohol consumption.
Since records began in 1979, the number of drink-drive deaths had shown a general trend of declining. The 2011 total was the lowest recorded. Since records began in 1979, when there were 1,640 drink-drive deaths, the number has shown a general trend of declining. The 2011 total was the lowest recorded.
In 1989, there were 810 deaths and in 1999, there were 460.
The DfT pointed out that despite the apparent sharp rise in 2012, the number was still about 25% lower than in 2009 (380 deaths) and almost 40% lower than the 2005 to 2009 average.
Last year, 1,210 people involved in drink-drive accidents suffered serious injuries and 8,500 people were slightly injured.Last year, 1,210 people involved in drink-drive accidents suffered serious injuries and 8,500 people were slightly injured.
Among those killed in drink-drive accidents, most (68%) were drivers and riders over the legal alcohol limit.Among those killed in drink-drive accidents, most (68%) were drivers and riders over the legal alcohol limit.
The rest were other road users involved in the accident, but not necessarily over the legal limit themselves.The rest were other road users involved in the accident, but not necessarily over the legal limit themselves.
The Department for Transport extrapolated the figures from a sample of coroners' reports. The DfT extrapolated the figures from a sample of coroners' reports.
The official figures are not expected to be available until next year.The official figures are not expected to be available until next year.
The BBC's transport correspondent Richard Westcott stressed the statistics were only provisional, adding that last year's provisional figure had been 50 deaths higher than the final, official figure.The BBC's transport correspondent Richard Westcott stressed the statistics were only provisional, adding that last year's provisional figure had been 50 deaths higher than the final, official figure.
The department also published provisional figures for all types of accidents in the first three months of 2013 - a period which included the coldest March for 50 years:
The DfT said it was likely the cold weather had been a factor in the dip in casualty numbers.