As many as 200,000 mothers could be driving their children to school with alcohol in their system, new analysis suggests.
Government figures analysed by breathalyser manufacturer AlcoSense show that 8% of women with dependent children exceed nine units of alcohol on their heaviest drinking day of the week.
With more than 2.5 million mothers drive their children to school, this means that 200,000 could be ‘potentially putting their children at risk’.
The figure for fathers is even higher, with 10% exceeding 12 units on their heaviest drinking day – although fewer men do the school run.
AlcoSence points to figures which show that around 5,700 children are injured each year on the roads during the morning and evening school run period, with 700 killed or seriously hurt. September is the worst month for child road casualties.
Hunter Abbott, managing Director of AlcoSense and advisor to PACTS, said: “Professional couples unwinding with a bottle of wine after a stressful day may be most at risk when they leave the house early the next day.
“Research shows that people earning over £40,000 consume more alcohol than those in lower salary brackets.
“Even with just one-eighth of the current English drink drive limit (one-fifth of the Scottish limit), you are 37% more likely to be involved in a fatal road accident than when sober.”
For the record, it wasn’t me who disagreed, however, how is it known that a certain percentage are likely to be involved in – specifically – a fatal accident, rather than a non-specific consequence accident? The consequences of accidents do not normally relate directly to the cause.
Hugh Jones
+1
I forgot to add – if you have disagreed with Julien’s post please could you put a post of your own on to explain what is wrong from your point of view so I have both sides of the story please?
Nick Hughes
0
Thanks Julien – Hunter sent me the link to the paper but to be honest it was going to take me some time to find that bit! 🙂
Nick Hughes, Preston
0
Hi Nick, I work with AlcoSense.
Here’s the source of the 37% stat. Hope it makes sense – it’s a bit mathematical!
Drugs and Alcohol: Their Relative Crash Risk”, Romano et al. Published January 2014 in the “Journal of Studies on Alcohol Drugs”.
Page 6, Table 6, BAC Model 1, Average of the odds of all age ranges at 0.01%BAC blood alcohol content (1.45 + 1.37 + 1.29)/3 = 1.37), expressed as a percentage of 37% increase in likelihood.
Regards, Julien
Julien Speed, London
+1
Could anyone point me to the evidence for the “37% more likely to be involved in a fatal road accident than when sober” statement in the final sentence please? (I am not disputing it at all)
I will also try via AlcoSense.
Nick Hughes, Preston
+2