There are a number of factors that increase the risk of a road user having an accident, including speeding, drink driving and the use of illicit drugs.
It is estimated that excessive and inappropriate speeds are the major factor in around a third of all road accidents. In 1998 there were 16 thousand casualties from road accidents involving illegal alcohol levels in the United Kingdom, 3 per cent of which were fatal.
Deaths have dropped substantially over the last decade, reflecting long-standing drink driving campaigns.
In 1998, 13 per cent of people dying in road accidents in Great Britain tested positive for illegal levels of alcohol.
| Fatal injuries | Serious injuries | Slight injuries | All casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 1.03 | 6.57 | 19.60 | 27.20 |
| 1987 | 0.93 | 6.01 | 17.99 | 24.93 |
| 1988 | 0.81 | 5.18 | 17.25 | 23.24 |
| 1989 | 0.84 | 4.92 | 17.05 | 22.81 |
| 1990 | 0.80 | 4.23 | 16.01 | 21.04 |
| 1991 | 0.69 | 3.72 | 14.00 | 18.41 |
| 1992 | 0.69 | 3.40 | 13.28 | 17.37 |
| 1993 | 0.57 | 2.82 | 12.25 | 15.63 |
| 1994 | 0.54 | 2.95 | 12.26 | 15.75 |
| 1995 | 0.56 | 3.10 | 12.89 | 16.56 |
| 1996 | 0.60 | 3.13 | 13.93 | 17.67 |
| 1997 | 0.57 | 3.07 | 13.90 | 17.55 |
| 1998 | 0.49 | 2.68 | 13.25 | 16.42 |
