Final figures released by the Department for Transport reveal that 240 people were killed by drink drivers in 2013 and provisional estimates indicate that at least the same number were killed on account of drink driving during 2014.

The number of people seriously injured in drink driving accidents fell by 8% to 1,100 from 2012 to 2013, while drink driving injuries of all severities fell by 17% to 8,270 during the same period.

According to the figures, a quarter of drink driving deaths and serious injuries involve young drivers (aged between 17 and 24) who were over the limit.

Road safety charity, Brake is calling on the government to introduce a zero-tolerance drink drive limit in the UK.

Helen Williams, a senior road accident solicitor based in Thompsons’ Bristol office, said: “While drink driving injuries have fallen in recent years and that is to be welcomed, the number of deaths resulting from drink driving remains unacceptably high.

“It is clear from these latest figures that, despite the well-known and dangerous consequences of drink driving, too many people continue to get behind the wheel under the influence of alcohol.

“Scotland has seen a fall in drink driving offences since the introduction of a lower drink drive limit in December last year. The measures have clearly been successful and we urge the UK government to follow Scotland’s example to help bring an end to these entirely avoidable road deaths.”