The report on road casualties in Great Britain involving illegal alcohol levels for the year 2022 reveals critical insights into the prevalence and impact of drink-driving. This article delves into various aspects of the issue, utilizing comprehensive statistics to understand the extent and consequences of drink-drive incidents.

Main Points

Fatalities in 2022

• Estimated Deaths: Between 290 and 320 people were killed in collisions where at least one driver was over the drink-drive limit.
• Central Estimate: The central estimate is 300 deaths, marking the highest level since 2009.
• Comparison to Previous Year: An increase compared to the previous year.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent national restrictions during 2020 and 2021 significantly affected traffic patterns and driver behavior, influencing the number of reported drink-drive collisions and casualties:

• Reduction in Traffic: Restrictions led to a reduction in traffic and collisions during the pandemic years.
• Driver Behavior: Changes in driver behavior during this period may have influenced the number of drink-drive incidents.
• Return to Pre-Pandemic Levels: Between 2021 and 2022, the overall number of collisions increased, broadly returning to levels seen before the pandemic.

Detailed Statistics on Drink-Drive Collisions

Total Casualties

• Overall Casualties: An estimated 6,800 people were killed or injured in drink-drive collisions.
• Increase from 2021: This represents a 1% increase from 6,740 casualties in 2021.
• Historical Context: Despite the slight increase, this is the third lowest figure recorded since 1979.

Trends Over the Years

• 10-Year Trend: The percentage of road casualties (fatalities, serious injuries, or slight injuries) related to drink-driving has increased over the last 10 years.
• Pandemic Influence: The COVID-19 pandemic may have contributed to changes in trends, with fluctuations in the number of incidents reported.

Casualties in Drink-Drive Collisions by Category

Fatalities

• Number of Fatalities in 2022: 300 fatalities.
• Change Since 2021: An increase of 16%.
• Change Since 2012: An increase of 32%.
• Proportion of All Fatalities: Drink-drive fatalities accounted for 18% of all road fatalities.

Killed or Seriously Injured (KSI)

• Number of KSIs in 2022: 1,920 casualties.
• Change Since 2021: An increase of 3%.
• Change Since 2012: A minimal increase of 1%.
• Proportion of All KSIs: Drink-drive KSIs accounted for 6% of all KSIs.

Total Casualties

• Total Number in 2022: 6,800 casualties.
• Change Since 2021: An increase of 1%.
• Change Since 2012: A decrease of 32%.
• Proportion of All Casualties: Drink-drive casualties accounted for 5% of all road casualties.

Casualties by Region, Sex, and Age

The report also provides detailed breakdowns of drink-drive casualties by country, English region, sex, and age. These breakdowns offer a comprehensive view of how different demographics are affected by drink-driving incidents.

The 2022 report on road casualties in Great Britain involving illegal alcohol levels highlights a troubling increase in fatalities and provides valuable insights into the broader trends and impacts of drink-driving. Continued monitoring and targeted interventions are essential to address this critical public safety issue.

Source: UK Government