The Fatal and Serious (KSI) road traffic collisions caused by Drink Driving Northern Ireland 2018-2022 has been published today
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Date published:
Fatal and Serious (KSI) Road Traffic Collisions Caused by Drink Driving, Northern Ireland 2018-2022 has been produced by Analysis, Statistics and Research Branch (ASRB). This bespoke analysis was commissioned by Promotion and Outreach Branch, DfI, and supplements the draft NI Road Safety Strategy (NIRSS) to 2030 Annual Statistical Report.

The publication is available on the ASRB website at: Fatal and Serious (KSI) road traffic collisions caused by Drink Driving in Northern Ireland, 2018-2022
Key points
In 2018-2022:
- There were 377 people killed or seriously injured in collisions where “Impairment by alcohol – driver/rider” or “Impairment by drugs (illicit or medicinal) – driver/rider” were the primary causation factors. Of these 296 were caused by alcohol and 81 were caused by drugs.
- Impaired by alcohol was the fourth highest causation factor for Fatal or Serious Injury (KSI) collisions, behind “Inattention or attention diverted”, “Wrong course / position” and “Excessive speed having regard for the conditions”.
- Males were responsible for 80% of KSI collisions where “Impaired by alcohol – driver / rider” was the primary causation factor.
- Drivers aged 17 to 49 were responsible for over four-fifths (82%) of drink driving KSI collisions.
- People aged 16 to 49 made up 82% of drink drive KSI casualties, compared with 57% of all KSI casualties.
- Car users accounted for 83% of drink drive KSI casualties, compared with 57% of all KSI casualties.
- Over half (55%) of drink drive KSI collisions occurred between 21:00 and 04:00, compared with 14% of non-drink driving KSI collisions.
- Over half (56%) of drink drive KSI collisions were single vehicle collisions, compared with 21% of all KSI collisions.
- The Mid Ulster Local Government District had the highest annual rate (6.9) of drink driving KSI casualties per 100,000 resident population, while Mid and East Antrim had the lowest (1.6).
- Just over one-fifth (21%) of Drink and Drug Driving KSI casualties were caused by Drug Driving. This is higher than the 10% recorded in 2011-2015.
Notes to editors:
Fatal and Serious (KSI) Road Traffic Collisions Caused by Drink Driving, Northern Ireland 2018-2022 is part of a suite of problem profiles produced over the last few years.
- The majority of the data within the report derives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Road Traffic Collision Statistics and is typically based on the period 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2022. The report first looks at the overall trend in Drink Driving KSI casualty numbers from 2002 until 2022. it looks at the age, gender and road user category of people who were killed or seriously injured due to impairment by alcohol between 2018 and 2022. It looks at where drink driving sits in comparison with the top ten principal causation factors and examines when these collisions are likely to occur contrasting this against the time recorded for most fatal and serious collisions. There is also analysis examining the age, gender and road user type of those responsible for drink driving collisions and a similar profile of those who were killed or seriously injured as a result of these.
- The Department will use the information presented in this publication to support policy development. The report provides departmental officials with the current picture of Drink Driving KSI casualties and provides evidence to allow them to consider the best ways to try to reduce casualty numbers.
- Further information and electronic copies of Fatal and Serious (KSI) Road Traffic Collisions Caused by Drink Driving, Northern Ireland 2018-2022 are available at:
- For more information relating to this publication, including additional analysis, breakdowns of data, or alternative formats please contact:
Analysis, Statistics and Research Branch,
First Floor, James House,
Cromac Avenue,
BELFAST,
BT7 2JB
- Telephone: (028) 9034 6270
- E-mail: asrb@nisra.gov.uk
- Website: Statistics and research
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