COUNCILLORS IN Fife are to urge the Scottish Executive to introduce a zero tolerance approach to drink-driving.

For after hearing that drink was a major factor in many of the 30 fatalities on the region’s roads last year, they want a total ban on motorists consuming any alcohol.

The shock move was made at a meeting of the community services committee after members heard that the 30 deaths—five of them were children—was the highest total for many years.

A further 184 were badly hurt and 798 slightly injured, taking the total to 1012, which was the second lowest ever recorded.

The figure for 2003 was exactly 1000 and was the record low.

Fatalities then totalled 18, just two of them children.

Of last year’s accident victims, 133 were youngsters and despite the high number of deaths, this was the lowest-ever figure.

Shockingly, four of the children died because drivers had been drinking or taken drugs, or were travelling at high speed.

Councillor Peter Douglas said, “Until we ban all drinking and driving, we will have a problem.”

And Pat Callaghan went further, saying, “Perhaps it’s time for an authority this size to make a motion to the Scottish Executive about drink-driving and go for a zero tolerance approach.”

There was unanimous backing for the proposal and later chairman Andrew Keddie said it could help cut the carnage on the roads.

Two motor-cyclists died in accidents compared with five the previous year, and the number badly hurt also fell.

The total cost of a fatal accident, which includes factors such as loss of earnings, grief, damage to vehicles and property and police and administration costs, is now put at over £1.5 million by the Government.

And in Fife the resources available to all the partners to the region’s Road Safety Strategy remain limited when compared to the cost of road crashes to the community of over £80 million.

A number of key initiatives aimed at improving road safety have been rolled out across Fife.

These include the introduction of 20 mph speed limits, a motor-cycle education campaign and the Safe Drive Stay Alive theatre production.

Councillor Keddie said, “One death on our roads is one too many, but the overall figures show how our Road Safety Strategy launched in 2003 is starting to work but we cannot be complacent.

“In 2004, our Road Safety Unit had more than 1400 requests to join the Pass Plus Initiative (extra training following the driving test) and these went up dramatically since four teenagers were tragically killed in a crash early in 2005.

“This scheme is also available through local driving schools and I’d urge anyone who has just passed a driving test to remember that you never stop learning—a piece of paper does not make you a good driver.

“More experienced motorists may also think about taking an advanced driving test which could pay for itself in reduced insurance premiums.”

Head of transport services Dr Bob McLellan said, “Four main factors appear to be behind the fatal crashes—alcohol, speeding, inexperience and poor behaviour. There are plans to tackle these as part of our Road Safety Strategy.

“Initiatives such as the introduction of 20 mph zones at schools, traffic calming measures and the continuation of the Safety Camera Partnership all help, but it’s the drivers themselves that can make the most telling contribution to road safety.

“For this reason, we will be paying particular attention to the issue of the young and inexperienced drivers.”

Assistant Chief Constable Allan Burnett said, “I’ve only been a member of Fife Constabulary since the end of March this year, however, already I’ve seen the human cost on Fife’s roads of drink, speeding, inexperience and reckless driving.”