The number of deaths from drink-drive accidents in Britain fell sharply last year, dipping 18% on the 2006 figure, Government figures showed.

There were 460 fatalities in 2007 compared with 560 in 2006, the Department for Transport said.

Those seriously injured in drink-drive crashes fell 11% to 1,760 but slight injuries rose 4% to 12,260.

Total casualties rose 1% to 14,480 and the number of accidents involving fatalities - as opposed to total deaths - fell 16% to 410.

Overall, there was a 2% rise in the number of drink-drive accidents with the figure rising from 9,400 in 2006 to 9,620 in 2007.

The drop in the death toll is heartening for the Government which is preparing to consult on the whole subject of drink-driving and its enforcement.

The 2007 fatality figure is the lowest since 1999 and compares with a figure as high as 580 in 2003 and also in 2004.

Transport Minister Rosie Winterton said: "Drink driving ruins lives. That is why it is such good news that the number of people killed or seriously hurt in this way fell to an all-time low last year. But any death or injury caused by a drink driver is one too many, and we will continue our efforts to tackle this serious issue."

She went on: "Thirty years of Government campaigns and enforcement work by the courts and police are having a positive effect, but we can always do more.

"That is why we plan a consultation for later this year looking at increasing compliance with road safety regulations, including how to make it easier for the police to enforce against drink driving."