Drink driving

• In 1925 the first law was passed making it illegal to drive whilst drunk however, no limit was set so it was left up to the courts to decide
• • 1951 - 15% owned cars
  • 1971 - 55% owned cars 
  • In 1950’s there were 5,000 deaths related to drunk driving
  • In 1970’s there were 8,000 deaths related to drunk driving
• As car ownership increased so did car related deaths
• For many years the government showed little interests in drink driving and didn't even bother to collect statistics
• 1966 - All cars had to be fitted with seat belts
• 1967 - road safety act - introduced a blood alcohol limit of 80 mg for every 100 ml of blood
• 1968 - first breathalysers for roadside use
• Major complaining reduced roadside deaths, by 1100 and injuries by over 11,000
• As a result of campaigning accidents where alcohol was involved fell from 25% to 15%
• 1983 - high risk offenders scheme for convicted drivers with an alcohol problem
• 1991 - death by driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs with compulsory prison sentences of up to 5 years
• 2014 - the law of death caused by being under the influence changd to increased to a compulsory prison sentence of up to 14 years
• penalty for drink drinking is 6 months and an unlimited fine, and a ban of driving for one year.
• 1979 - 1640 deaths

  1989 - 840 deaths

  1999 - 460 deaths

  2009 - 380 deaths

  2016 - 230 deaths
• Campaigning was a very important factor in changing public perception of drink driving as a crime
• 2014 - THINK!

  91% of people believed drink driving was unacceptable

  92% of people would be ashamed if they were caught drink driving

  1979 - 1/2 of male drivers admit to drink driving at least once per week