ESSEX University researchers say the fine for drink driving would need to be £22,800 to reflect the true cost of the crime.
The new study by Prof Marco Francesconi and Dr Jonathan James provides a picture of the consequences of binge drinking, by estimating its impact on road accidents, A&E attendance and arrests.
Their study found binge drinking increases road accidents by 18.6 per cent and fatal accidents by 72 per cent.
It also found A&E attendance went up by six per cent and the number of arrests for alcohol-related incidents by 71 per cent.
Prof Francesconi said: “We used our estimates of the effect on road accidents to put a monetary value on the cost of binge drinking on the agencies left to pick up the pieces – including the NHS and the police. A conservative estimate is £1.52 billion a year.
“At current arrest rates for drink driving in England, that works out at around £22,800 for every drink driving arrest.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel