While November saw the annual awareness campaign of National Road Safety Week, it’s a subject that shouldn’t be considered only one week out of the year.
According to the latest data, there were an estimated 1,711 fatalities and 29,742 killed or seriously injured (KSI) casualties on UK roads in 2022.
While the 2022 figures aren’t available for the number of those killed or seriously injured as a result of drivers under the influence of alcohol, the figures from 2021 showed an increase of 4 per cent to 6,740.
Likewise, there were 29,742 people killed or seriously injured on UK roads as a result of drivers on our roads under the influence of UK roads in 2021.
These figures are not just cold numbers; they represent lives forever altered or lost, families shattered, and communities deeply affected. The impact of impaired driving reaches far beyond the immediate individuals involved, creating a ripple effect that echoes throughout communities.
While these figures are frightening enough, what’s scared us more is a recent survey revealed that more than a quarter of drivers (27 per cent) “think there are circumstances when it’s okay to drive under the influence.”
Driving under the influence significantly impairs a person's ability to operate a vehicle safely. Reaction times slow down, decision-making becomes impaired, and coordination is compromised. This lethal combination greatly increases the likelihood of accidents, with severe consequences for all parties involved.
So here at Leasing Options, we want to encourage everyone to work together to make our roads safer and prevent further tragedies caused by driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Remember, the choices we make behind the wheel have a lasting impact on our lives and the lives of those around us. Together, we can create a safer and more responsible driving culture on UK roads.
