New analysis of Government data shows December is the second worst month for drink-drive crashes, and the fourth worst for people killed and seriously injured.
Brake looked at data covering the eight-year period between 2012 and 2019, which showed that on average the month of August saw the highest number of drink-driving crashes (4,170), as well as people killed or seriously injured (6,260).
The analysis also shows that December is ‘still a peak month for drink-driving’.
It was the second worst month for drink-driving crashes (4,150) and the fourth worst for people killed and seriously injured (6,020) in the same period.
Overall, between 2012 and 2019, there were a ‘staggering’ 46,860 drink-driving-related crashes, causing 1,860 deaths and 13,340 serious injuries.
Brake has used the publication of the figures to renew its call for the drink drive limit to be lowered in England and Wales.
Brake says that the evidence is clear that any amount of alcohol affects driving ability and so a zero-tolerance limit must be implemented to protect road users.
It adds that such a limit would effectively ban any level of drink-driving, but have leeway to allow for accidental exposure, such as through using mouthwash.
Jason Wakeford, head of campaigns at Brake, said: “Thousands of people are being needlessly killed and injured at the hands of drink-drivers every month. We need to change the culture around drink-driving, starting with more awareness that any amount can be deadly.
“While measures such as effective ongoing police enforcement and public information campaigns, including THINK!, are helping to reduce deaths and injuries, Government should follow Scotland’s lead and reduce the legal limit, as per the call from the Safe Roads For All Alliance.
“Such a move would make it clear to drivers that no amount of alcohol is safe when behind the wheel.”
England and Wales has the highest drink-drive limit in Europe, at 80mg alcohol per 100ml blood (compared with the 50mg implemented in Scotland in December 2014).
While the reduction of the alcohol limit in Scotland has not been proven as yet to help lower the number of road crashes caused by drink-driving in the country, Brake says it sends a clearer message to Scottish drivers that it is never acceptable to drink and drive.
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