Road casualty figures expose ‘grave mistake’
The number of people seriously injured or killed on UK roads is on the rise, according to figures released by the Department for Transport (DfT).
It showed a two per cent over the last year to 31 March 2016.
Commenting on the provisional estimates of reported road casualties, GEM motoring assist information officer Neil Worth said, ‘The government made a manifesto commitment to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on the UK’s roads every year. However, there has been almost no reduction for the past six years. In particular, there has been no reduction in deaths involving drink-driving during that time – a clear sign that we need new initiatives in the field of drink-drive education, as well as wider enforcement of drink-drive laws.
‘This once again demonstrates the grave mistake made in permitting such a big reduction in the numbers of road policing officers over these past six years.
‘The government needs to be held accountable for its refusal to consider a reduction in the drink-drive limit. At the same time, we need to invest in fresh new initiatives that remind drivers of the dangers of driving after drinking alcohol. There also needs to be a much greater perception among drink-drivers that they will be stopped, breathalysed and punished.’
