Provisional estimates for 2018 show that between 220 and 270 people were killed in accidents in Great Britain where at least one driver was over the drink drive limit (240 deaths).
The number of fatal drink-driving casualties represents about 13% of all deaths in reported road accidents in 2018. The DfT reports that this is lower than the final figure for 2017, but the decrease is not statistically significant, continuing a period of stability recorded since 2010.
There were an estimated 210 fatal drink drive accidents from the casualties. This is a decrease from 220 in 2017 and the lowest level since 2015, but, as with casualties, the reduction in accidents from 2017 is not statistically significant.
There were also minor changes in the total number of drink drive accidents and casualties of all severities when at least one driver was over the drink drive limit, with small increases of 4% (5,900 accidents) and 1% (8,700 casualties) from 2017 to 2018. Approximately 5% of all reported road traffic accidents in 2018 involved at least one driver/rider over the legal alcohol limit.
The final estimates will be published in August 2020.
Reported road casualties in Great Britain: provisional estimates involving illegal alcohol levels: 2018 out today, via @DfTstats
— IAS (@InstAlcStud) February 12, 2020