Wide eyed and legless

Almost half of all pedestrians killed in road crashes between 10 pm and 4 am on Fridays and Saturdays are more than twice over the drink drive limit according to a new Government figures released by the RAC Foundation on the day that the new licensing regime comes into force.

The research also shows that for the 301 pedestrians killed with a known blood alcohol concentration (BAC), 38% were above the drink drive limit (80mg/100ml) with 25% more than twice over the limit (200 mg/100ml).

Pedestrians aged 25 –29 who died were most likely to have higher alcolcohol concentrations. Two thirds were over the drink drive limit, with almost half twice over the limit.

The RAC Foundation is also concerned that drink drive related deaths are on the increase again. Provisional estimates for 2004 suggest that 590 people were killed, up from 580 drink drive related deaths in 2003. In response the RAC Foundation is calling for more traffic police to target drink drivers and better road safety awareness for drinking pedestrians.

The RAC Foundation is concerned that the reductions in the number killed and seriously injured in drink drive related accidents in the 1980s and early 1990s (from 9,000 to under 4,000) are no longer being made. The number killed fell to a low of 460 deaths in 1998 but has risen to an estimated 590 in 2004.

In 2003, 17 per cent of road deaths occurred when the driver was over the limit. In the early 1980’s around one third of drivers killed were over the limit.

Provisional figures show thirty five per cent of drivers and riders aged between 30-39 killed were over the limit compared to 30% of those aged 20-29 and 23% of those aged 16-19 in 2004.

Drivers aged less than thirty have the most drink drive accidents but the 17 – 24 age group are most at risk as they drive fewer miles. Seventeen to 19 year olds are more likely to have accidents so the proportion of those drink related will be lower.

Women are much less likely to be involved in drink drive accidents as drivers than men. Drink driving is a year round problem with November the worst month for casualties in 2003, followed by May.

The RAC Foundation has previously called on the Government to undertake more studies to establish the best way to alert pedestrians to the dangers of drinking and walking, involving health professionals and road safety organisations and to investigate any structural changes which can be made to roads, crossings and pavements to safeguard them.

Commenting, Kevin Delaney, head of road safety at the RAC Foundation, said: "Most of us are well aware of the problems of drink driving but little is said about the perils of drunk pedestrians. It is worrying to see the rising numbers of young pedestrians killed after drinking and the rises in fatalities who had consumed excessive amounts of alcohol. Heavy intoxication must be a contributory factor in pedestrian accidents.

"Many of those pedestrians killed had made a sensible, laudable and informed choice not to take a car while they were drinking and were acting within the law. But drunken pedestrians leave themselves open to injury or death because their condition means that they are not in a fit state to consider the road safety dangers.

"New methods will need to be employed to highlight the potential dangers to drunken pedestrians. People going out drinking need to think carefully about how they will get home.

For those only slightly inebriated, the best advice might be:

Take a night bus or public transport if possible.

Walk home in a group rather than alone.

Opt for a route away from a main road - although if it’s late at night or you are alone or feel vulnerable, only do this with others.

Stay away from the kerb.

Only cross at recognised pedestrian crossings.

Be aware that alcohol affects your ability to judge the speed and distance of vehicles.

Wear something bright and easily visible at night.

"If however, you doubt your capacity to get home and know that you are really drunk, phone for a taxi home, stay overnight at a place nearby or get a lift from a non-drinking companion.

"Motorists too have a role to play in cutting accident rates. Most accidents involving alcohol affected pedestrians happen at night. Drivers should be very vigilant in areas near pubs and clubs, to the dangers of drunken pedestrians who may stumble into the road or attempt to cross at inappropriate places or at inopportune moments.

"The ultimate responsibility for road safety rests with all road users, including pedestrians."