Supplementary written evidence from Sir
Peter North (DDD 42)
Thank you for inviting me to give evidence at
your hearing on 14th September. There was one point which arose
which I felt I ought to clarify.
You asked me about the derivation of data on
both risk of driving with alcohol in the system and the estimated
reduction in casualties from a lower UK limit. As I explained,
the estimates of reductions in casualties by the NICE rely on
the experience of other nations (Australia and in Europe) in reducing
their blood-alcohol limit. However, I fear that I might have left
you with the impression that this was also true of the research
and statistics on the risk of dying or injury with various blood
alcohol concentrations in the system.
In fact, these statistics are derived from GB
coroners' data on blood alcohol concentration of those drivers
who are killed as compared with those who have drunk nothing.
This is set out more fully in paragraphs 3.29 to 3.32 of my report,
which sets out the risk of a driver with a blood-alcohol concentration
of between 50mg and 80mg/100ml dying in an accident as being six
times that of a driver who has consumed no alcohol.
September 2010
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