Brake has called for a clampdown on drink-driving and greater awareness of the impact this offence has on not only the lives of offenders, but also their victims.

Julie Townsend, deputy chief executive at Brake, commented: "Drink-drive deaths and serious injuries cause terrible suffering and anguish, and they are entirely preventable, so it's appalling they increased last year."

She added that as a result, Brake is appealing to all drivers to commit to never drink and drive – to not even consume one drop of alcohol if they plan to get behind the wheel of a vehicle.

Her comments follow the publication of new government statistics revealing a 12 per cent increase in the number of deaths caused by drinking and driving in the UK from 2010 to 2011.

Earlier this month, the road safety charity also called for the widespread introduction of more 20mph limits in built-up areas across the UK, highlighting how stopping at 30mph typically takes six cars lengths, while this is reduced to just three at 20mph.

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Posted by Clare Lafferty