Ms Velma Burns:

The analysis was not conducted in a way that a percentage could be attributed to the various factors that contributed to the collisions. There was a forensic analysis of the file and the contributory factors were listed. In some cases that might have been alcohol plus speed; in some cases it was alcohol and fatigue. No percentage was apportioned. However, we know and have mentioned on numerous occasions this morning that the scientific evidence is unequivocal that any amount of alcohol impairs driving. Therefore, we can conclude that of the 35 people killed by drivers who had consumed alcohol leaving their level between 20 mg and 80 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood, alcohol was a contributory factor in those collisions. We have other reports where we have looked at speeding in particular. International research indicates that motorists are more likely to engage in high-risk behaviour when they are under the influence of alcohol. Therefore, they are more likely to speed, lose control on bends and fall asleep at the wheel. There is a link between alcohol impairment when driving and other contributory factors. There would only be a very small number of cases where alcohol would be found to be the only factor, as alcohol contributes to other risky behaviours on the road. That is why there are multiple contributory factors in many of these collisions.