Most alcohol-related traffic accidents in the north west occur in Rochdale

Car wreckage from a drink drive crash on display

Rochdale has the highest rate of alcohol-related road traffic accidents in the north west, according to new statistics published by Office for National Statistics.

In 2016, 39.9 accidents per 1,000 were recorded in the Rochdale borough – itself one of the ten worst areas for similar accidents in the whole of England. In the north west, the average rate of accidents where at least one driver failed a breath test was 29.3 per 1,000, falling to 26.0 nationally.

In England and Wales, the alcohol limit for drivers is 80 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, 35 microgrammes per 100 millilitres of breath or 107 milligrammes per 100 millilitres of urine.

Refusal to provide a specimen of breath, blood or urine for analysis could lead to six months’ imprisonment, an unlimited fine or a ban from driving for at least one year.

Cornwall recorded the highest figure across England with a staggering 48.7 alcohol-related road traffic accidents per 1,000.

Other regions making up the top 10 were Wiltshire, Shropshire, Torbay, Country Durham, Redcar and Cleveland, and Herefordshire with Northamptonshire and Lincolnshire matching Rochdale’s 39.9.

Nationally, most of the incidents seemed to occur in individuals belonging to the least deprived groups. Those belonging to the least deprived populations had lower instances of alcohol-related road traffic accidents.

In 2010-2012, the highest number of similar accidents recorded occurred in those who were least deprived, whereas in 2013-15, those with the highest rate of accidents were those in the fourth least deprived demographic.

If a person is found guilty of drink driving, they can be fined, banned from driving or even imprisoned, depending on the seriousness of the offence.

Being in charge of a vehicle while above the legal limit or unfit through drink could result in three months’ imprisonment, a fine of up to £2,500 or a possible driving ban.

Driving or attempting to drive while above the legal limit or unfit through drink could get six months’ imprisonment, an unlimited fine or a driving ban for at least one year. This can rise to three years if convicted twice in ten years.

Causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink could result in 14 years’ imprisonment, an unlimited fine, a ban from driving for at least two years or an extended driving test before your licence is returned.