Drink-drivers 'to blame for deaths'

12/07/11

By David Clement

Nearly two out of three motorists think responsibility for reducing the number of alcohol-related deaths on the roads lies with drink-drivers themselves, according to new research.

More than 11,500 AA members were asked who was most responsible for persuading motorists not to drink and drive.

Around 63 per cent of agreed with the statement: "No one, the drink-drivers themselves should take responsibility for their actions."

The figures were revealed in a survey commissioned to publicise an anti-drink-drive summer campaign by the AA and Pernod Ricard UK, which last year saw 101,000 people tested over a 30-day period with 5.6 per cent testing positive or refusing a test.

Before government anti drink-drive campaigns began in the late 1970s there were as many as 2,000 alcohol-related road deaths a year.