New figures show the number of people killed in drink-drive collisions in 2021 reached a 12-year high.
Published by the DfT, the data shows that between 240 and 280 people were killed in drink-drive collisions in 2021, with a central estimate of 260 fatalities.
The estimate is the highest since 2009 and represents a statistically significant increase from 2020.
Meanwhile, the central estimate of the number of killed or seriously injured drink-drive casualties in 2021 is 1,880, an increase of 23% on 2020.
An estimated 6,740 people were killed or injured in drink-drive collisions, an increase of 4% from 2020.
The DfT says the number of reported drink-drive collisions – and casualties involved in them – are likely to have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in recent years.
Breathalyser firm Alcosense has described the data as “very concerning”.
Hunter Abbott, MD of AlcoSense, said: “It’s very concerning indeed to see the number of fatalities caused by a drunk driver increase by nearly a fifth.
“Although we spent much of 2020 in lockdown, resulting in less traffic on the roads, restrictions were also in place for the first half of 2021 so again there were fewer vehicle movements than usual.
“We haven’t seen this many drink drive deaths for 12 years.
“What these figures don’t tell you, of course, is how many more casualties were caused by ‘lethal but legal’ drivers – those who were above the point of intoxication where effects on cognitive function occur, but below the official drink drive limit.”
Meanwhile, the RAC says the figures should provide “a wake up call”.
Simon Williams, RAC road safety spokesman, said: “These figures are extremely worrying and demonstrate that the battle against drink-driving is far from over.
“This should be a wake-up call to both the Government and police forces about the need for effective enforcement, including increased roadside breathalysing. Our message to drivers is simple yet stark: drink-driving ruins lives.”
Edmund King, AA president, said: “It is so tragic that 260 needless deaths occurred as a result of irresponsible drink drivers in 2021. This is against a backdrop of reduced travel due to Covid lockdowns and, even more tragically, tens of thousands dying from Covid.
“There is no excuse for drink driving. If you are going to drive, don’t drink. If you are going to drink, don’t drive.
“The over 60s age group were the only group represented in a lower proportion of drink drive collisions compared to overall collisions perhaps suggesting that overall health concerns were top of the mind.”
Estimates of casualties in collisions involving at least one driver or rider over the drink-drive limit in Great Britain for 2021 show that:
- between 240 and 280 people were killed in drink-drive collisions, with a central estimate of 260 fatalities
- the estimate of fatalities for 2021 is the highest since 2009 and represents a statistically significant increase from 2020
- the central estimate of the number of killed or seriously injured drink-drive casualties in 2021 is 1,880, an increase of 23% on 2020
- an estimated 6,740 people were killed or injured in drink-drive collisions, an increase of 4% from 2020
The number of reported drink-drive collisions and casualties involved in them are likely to have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in recent years, with increases in 2021 following reductions in the previous year.
