Latest figures show that in 2004 drink related road deaths had risen to 530 while injuries were back close to the 1991 level. The Christmas anti-drink driving campaigns almost became part of the festive tradition and played out graphically the tragic consequences of this anti-social behaviour on our televisions. By 1999 the number of deaths from drinking and driving had fallen to 400 and safety campaigners sat back, gave themselves a pat on the back and waited for the dramatic decline to continue until the problem was virtually eradicated.However, pressure on police forces to re-allocate resources to other crimes led to some of them reducing the number of breath tests administered. Some police forces even embarked upon Crimewatch-style tactics of naming and shaming those found guilty, while others provided special telephone lines to encourage us to report those we suspected of having had too many drinks down the pub before driving. Yet 12 years later in 1979 the number of road deaths from drinking and driving stood at a record level of 1,380 with 18,000 others injured. Successive governments then embarked upon a massive propaganda campaign that together with high profile policing convinced most of us that drink drivers should not be looked upon as unlucky to have been caught and punished, but as deserved of all they got in terms of fines and disqualification for jeopardising the safety of themselves and others.
05/11 - 12/11 Land Neil Young Tickets staging in Shubert Theater, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.. Neil Young is staging in New Haven, Chico and Reno. Neil Young tickets
07/11 - 08/11 Score some Selena Gomez Tickets playing in Mohegan Sun Arena, Pacific Amphitheatre. Selena Gomez is playing in Uncasville, Costa Mesa and Holmdel. Selena Gomez tickets
07/11 - 08/11 Reach Motley Crue Tickets performing in Hersheypark Stadium, PNC Bank Arts Center. Motley Crue is performing in Hershey, Holmdel and Columbus. Motley Crue tickets
When Barbara Castle, the Minister for Transport in 1967, introduced roadside breath tests as part of her Road Safety Bill, it was heralded by the road safety movement as a major breakthrough in stemming the huge social problem of road accidents directly related to the consumption of alcohol. Hyperactive 'Sport' setting makes the accelerator like a catapult.VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI £19,995Sanity returns with the Golf GTI, the car that matches your mood like no other. Its 200bhp turbo engine offers ample usable pace, steering and handling are first-rate, but it can be calm if you want it to be Looks good, feels good; brilliant.. Doesn't have Subaru's suppleness and depth of character.VAUXHALL ASTRA VXR £18,995Terrific idea: handling developed by Lotus, 240bhp turbo engine, racy styling, but the VXR is too fractious to enjoy on most roads as the front wheels pull this way and that.
Even more powerful 320 and 340bhp versions also available; see if you can guess what FQ means. That's the stuff of which cults are made, and it's not over yet.The rivalsMITSUBISHI LANCER EVO IX FQ300 £27,999Impreza's arch-rival is yet more hardcore and sensationally rapid. It has a small rear spoiler and a more luxurious interior, but it looks neither one thing nor the other Best go for a regular STi in stealth black. This is a car to make you laugh out loud, such is its enthusiasm.If you think the STi looks too brash with its spoilers and gold wheels, you might prefer the imminent STi Type-D (for Discreet). It was exhilarating, but wearing, like being in a rally-car simulator.
