Doubling in number of accidents caused by youth drunk driving

According to preliminary information released by Liikenneturva - the Central Organization for Traffic Safety in Finland - and the Finnish Motor Insurers' Centre, a drunk driver was involved in 86 fatal motor vehicle accidents in 2006, which is one-third of all traffic accidents which resulted in deaths last year.
      In comparison, drunk drivers caused one in four of the fatal traffic accidents the year before.
     
Particularly the number of fatal accidents caused by intoxicated drivers under 25 years of age increased. According to accident investigation boards, there were 32 fatal accidents caused by young drivers where alcohol use was suspected to have played a part in the deaths.
      The number has nearly doubled since the previous year.
     
Liikenneturva is concerned about the effects of the recent alcohol price cuts, especially regarding young drivers' safety.
      "Since the mid-1990s, the number of drunk drivers has increased", reports Sirpa Rajalin from Liikenneturva.
      According to the National Product Control Agency for Welfare and Health (STTV), the total consumption of alcohol decreased in Finland by around two per cent last year. However, the consumption has grown by 11 per cent compared with 2003.
     
Furthermore, according to the National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health (STAKES), the Finns' consumption of alcoholic beverages has quadrupled in 40 years.
      A recent survey conducted by Liikenneturva indicates that 60 per cent of Finnish motorists are in favour of lowering the illegal blood alcohol level from 0.5 to 0.2 per mille in road traffic.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Warning labels coming on containers of alcoholic beverages (7.2.2007)
  Government proposes new restrictions on marketing of alcohol (20.10.2006)
  Significant rise in overall alcohol consumption in Finland last year (25.2.2005)
  Drink driving figures apparently not affected by alcohol tax cut (23.8.2004)

Links:
  Liikenneturva
  Finnish Motor Insurers´ Centre
  The National Product Control Agency for Welfare and Health (STTV)
  National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health (STAKES)