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Drug users almost twice as likely as drinkers to drive under the influence Drug users almost twice as likely as drinkers to drive under the influence
(about 2 hours later)
Drug users are almost twice as likely as drinkers to drive while under the influence, according to official statistics. Drug users are almost twice as likely as drinkers to drive while under the influence, according to official statistics. They show that almost one in five drug users admit driving while intoxicated, compared with fewer than in one in 10 alcohol drinkers.
They show that almost one in five drug users admit driving while intoxicated, compared with fewer than in one in 10 alcohol drinkers. The full road casualty figures released by the government on Thursday confirm a 3% rise in deaths on the road in 2011 – reversing a long trend in improved safety – with pedestrian fatalities and serious injuries to cyclists rising sharply.
The full road casualty figures released by the government on Thursday confirm a 3% rise in deaths on the road in 2011 – reversing a long trend in improved safety – with pedestrian fatalities and serious injuries to cyclists rising sharply.
Road safety experts believe a combination of hard-up drivers deferring essential vehicle maintenance and a cultural shift under the coalition have contributed to the worsening toll.Road safety experts believe a combination of hard-up drivers deferring essential vehicle maintenance and a cultural shift under the coalition have contributed to the worsening toll.
Robert Gifford, head of Pacts, the parliamentary road safety advisory group, said: "We know mechanical failure is rare but in a recession people are likely to keep their cars longer and not keep them properly maintained."
Deaths caused by vehicles with defective or illegal tyres rose to 28 from 18 the year before.Deaths caused by vehicles with defective or illegal tyres rose to 28 from 18 the year before.
Robert Gifford, head of Pacts, the parliamentary road safety advisory group, said: "We know mechanical failure is rare but in a recession people are likely to keep their cars longer and not keep them properly maintained."
Darren Lindsey, head of public affairs at the tyre firm Michelin, said: "The rise in road deaths is worrying yet cannot be attributed to a single factor. As the recession bites people may be putting off buying new tyres, but these figures illustrate the importance of tyre safety. Standards are in place for a reason; tyres are the only part of a car in contact with the road and faulty or illegal tyres mean that drivers are putting the safety of both passengers and other road users at risk."Darren Lindsey, head of public affairs at the tyre firm Michelin, said: "The rise in road deaths is worrying yet cannot be attributed to a single factor. As the recession bites people may be putting off buying new tyres, but these figures illustrate the importance of tyre safety. Standards are in place for a reason; tyres are the only part of a car in contact with the road and faulty or illegal tyres mean that drivers are putting the safety of both passengers and other road users at risk."
Safety experts including Gifford had questioned whether the coalition's first transport minister, Philip Hammond, had altered the culture by talking of "ending the war on the motorist", cutting speed cameras and proposing to raise the motorway speed limit. The new incumbent, Patrick McLoughlin, has indicated that he will not be pushing for an increase in the limit, stressing that road safety has to be paramount. Safety experts including Gifford had questioned whether the coalition's first transport minister, Philip Hammond, had altered the culture by talking of "ending the war on the motorist", by cutting speed cameras and proposing to raise the motorway speed limit. The new incumbent, Patrick McLoughlin, has indicated that he will not be pushing for an increase in the limit, stressing that road safety has to be paramount.
Gifford said he welcomed current moves in this parliament to make drug-driving a criminal offence. "The figures show that the government is right to want to do something about it." Gifford said he welcomed current moves in this parliament to make drug-driving a criminal offence. "The figures show that the government is right to want to do something about it."
An estimated 280 road deaths, 15% of all those recorded in 2011, occurred when someone was driving while over the legal alcohol limit. Gifford said the exact contribution from drugs was still unknown, but added: "Because they're illegal, we haven't had the emphasis on how they impair judgment. It's quite difficult for government to talk about the effects without appearing to condone them in the first place." An estimated 280 road deaths, 15% of those recorded in 2011, occurred when someone was driving over the legal alcohol limit. Gifford said the exact contribution from drugs was still unknown, but added: "Because they're illegal, we haven't had the emphasis on how they impair judgment. It's quite difficult for government to talk about the effects without appearing to condone them in the first place."
The Department for Transport statistics also showed that the number of cyclists seriously injured on Britain's roads increased by 16% over the year – which cycling charity Sustrans said should "sound the alarm right at the top of government". The Department for Transport statistics also showed that the number of cyclists seriously injured on Britain's roads increased by 16% over the year – which cycling charity Sustrans said should "sound the alarm right at the top of government". Sustrans policy adviser Joe Williams said: "Practical and affordable measures, such as creating safe routes for cyclists and lowering the speed limit in our towns and cities from 30mph to 20mph could help prevent the increasing number of injuries and such tragic and unnecessary loss of life."
Sustrans policy adviser Joe Williams said: "Practical and affordable measures, such as creating safe routes for cyclists and lowering the speed limit in our towns and cities from 30mph to 20mph could help prevent the increasing number of injuries and such tragic and unnecessary loss of life."
Gifford added: "Of particular concern are the rise of 6% in car occupants and 10% in deaths on built-up roads. It is on these roads where vulnerable road users are most at risk. After years of progress in improving pedestrian safety in our towns and cities, we do not want to see this group suffer through cuts in road engineering or enforcement.Gifford added: "Of particular concern are the rise of 6% in car occupants and 10% in deaths on built-up roads. It is on these roads where vulnerable road users are most at risk. After years of progress in improving pedestrian safety in our towns and cities, we do not want to see this group suffer through cuts in road engineering or enforcement.
"It is also concerning to note the increase of 10% in casualties among cyclists going to and from work. We must continue to make the commute to work a safer journey for cyclists, especially since this form of road use is rising.""It is also concerning to note the increase of 10% in casualties among cyclists going to and from work. We must continue to make the commute to work a safer journey for cyclists, especially since this form of road use is rising."
The road safety charity Brake highlighted the fact that 48 more pedestrians were killed in 2011 than in 2010, an increase of 12%. Julie Townsend, deputy chief executive, said: "As a charity supporting bereaved and injured road crash victims, we are dismayed to see rising road deaths and serious injuries across Britain, meaning more lives lost and more people suffering terribly and needlessly, and a greater burden on local economies."The road safety charity Brake highlighted the fact that 48 more pedestrians were killed in 2011 than in 2010, an increase of 12%. Julie Townsend, deputy chief executive, said: "As a charity supporting bereaved and injured road crash victims, we are dismayed to see rising road deaths and serious injuries across Britain, meaning more lives lost and more people suffering terribly and needlessly, and a greater burden on local economies."