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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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| Drink-drive deaths show 26% rise | Drink-drive deaths show 26% rise |
| (about 3 hours 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 (DfT) 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, when there were 1,640 drink-drive deaths, the number has 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. | In 1989, there were 810 deaths and in 1999, there were 460. |
| 'Cause for concern' | |
| 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. | 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, motorcyclists and cyclists 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. |
| Kevin Clinton, head of road safety for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (Rospa), called for a lower drink-drive limit and effective enforcement of existing laws. | |
| "Often it is an innocent person who suffers, not just the driver who was over the drink-drive limit," he said. | |
| David Bizley, of the RAC motoring organisation, said the figures were a "cause for concern". | |
| "Clearly more needs to be done to ensure that the anti drink-driving message pioneered by the government's THINK! campaign really sticks with motorists up and down the country." | |
| 'Cold March's impact' | |
| The DfT 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 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. | The DfT said it was likely the cold weather had been a factor in the dip in casualty numbers. |