Recent data analysis from the Department for Transport has unveiled the London boroughs most affected by drink and drug-driving accidents, with Harrow securing the unfortunate position of being the second worst-affected area.
The findings, provided by rehab provider Abbeycare, highlight the prevalence of road collisions caused by alcohol or illicit substances in various London boroughs. Harrow, with 4.7% of yearly road accidents attributed to drink-driving or drug use, emerges as the second worst-affected borough.
This information comes amidst concerns over the festive period, where celebrations may increase the likelihood of intoxicated driving. A notable expert urges residents to consider alternative transportation options, particularly in light of scheduled train strikes in early December, affecting LNER, the London Northwestern Railway, and Avanti West Coast.
Survey data from the RAC shows the significance of responsible choices not only during celebrations but also ‘the morning after the night before,’ as 8% of drivers aged 25-44 admit to possibly driving over the limit the next day.
While Harrow takes the second spot, Havering claims the title of London’s drink and drug driving hotspot, reporting almost 1 in 20 (4.8%) collisions annually involving drugs or alcohol—double the national average of 2.4%. Bexley closely follows Harrow, with 4.4% of road collisions attributed to intoxicated driving.
Harrow’s neighbouring boroughs Hillingdon and Brent are listed at 4th and 9th on the list respectively. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Hammersmith and Fulham boast the lowest prevalence of intoxicated drivers, with just 1.7% of accidents involving alcohol or drugs.
Beyond borough rankings, the data highlights the City of London as the area with the highest number of drug-induced road accidents per 100,000 residents, reporting 8.1 incidents yearly. The City of London also leads in alcohol-related incidents, with a staggering 36 per 100,000 residents.
Delving into the timing of incidents, the Department for Transport data indicates that the period between 11pm and 11:59pm is the riskiest time on the roads, with an average of 18 fatal crashes reported yearly. Additionally, the hours between 12am to 2:59am witness the highest incidence of drink-driving collisions, coinciding with the closing times of pubs, bars, and clubs.
The morning rush hours prove to be safer, with zero fatal drink-driving incidents reported between 9am and 9:59am annually. The hours of 10am to 10:59 am and 8am to 8:59am each see only one reported incident, reinforcing the importance of responsible driving habits throughout the day.
Speaking on the findings, an Abbeycare spokesperson said: “It is never a good idea to drive after consuming alcohol or drugs – and with the festive season approaching, it’s likely that there’ll be an increased number of Brits heading on a spontaneous night out after driving into the office that morning, who’ll need to make the right decision in the evening.
“To avoid endangering yourself and others, always take public transport if you’ve been drinking or taking drugs. It’s important to check schedules and ensure there aren’t any strikes when attending an event – especially if you’ve been tempted to drive home in the past. Remember, you can take an Uber home if the trains or buses aren’t running.
“If you know you’ll be drinking in the evening, it’s best to leave your car at home and commute into the office – even if it takes a little longer to do so. That way, you avoid making an impulsive decision that can have irreversible consequences for you and others.”
