Motorists confess to drink-drive sins at Christmas
Twenty five percent (25%) of UK motorists have stopped someone from getting behind the wheel while near to or over the drink-drive limit at Christmas, according to a new survey commissioned by Car Loan 4U.
In the UK, the legal drink drive limit is 80mgs of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, which as a rough guide means men should consume no more than four units of alcohol, and women no more than three – yet as many as 35% are unaware of this heading into the festive season.
In fact, official guidelines state that the legal drink-drive limit cannot easily be interpreted into alcohol units because factors such as age, gender, weight and food consumed all affect people’s drink tolerance differently, while in the words of Transport Minister Robert Goodwill “just one drink can put you over the limit and the consequences are devastating”.
Furthermore, the survey, of 1,000 motorists in the UK, showed that 18% know someone who regularly drives when they are near or over the legal drink-drive limit and while it’s a small percentage, the findings still show that 2% will drive this Christmas even if they know they are near or over the legal drink-drive limit.
10% of motorists also confessed that they have been near or over the legal drink-drive limit at Christmas but still driven.
Car Loan 4U Director Ryan Dignan comments: “Drink driving at any time of the year is completely reckless, but to see the results of our survey revealing that some motorists would take a risk being near the legal limit this Christmas is shocking.
“Add to that, such a high percentage of motorists have had to stop someone from getting behind the wheel at Christmas because they might have been over the drink-drive limit and it adds plenty of weight behind the need to inform people that they are not only playing with their lives, but the lives of other drivers on the road.
“Everyone should know the legal drink-drive limit and if they weren’t sure, they shouldn’t be driving full stop; it really is that simple. To see 35% of motorists in the UK don’t know what it is puts into context how much continual awareness needs to be raised on the issue of drink-driving in this country.”
Figures from the Department for Transport showed that the number of deaths in drink-drive accidents in the UK in 2012 increased by 26%, with a total of 290 deaths.
The survey revealed that 1% of motorists have been in an accident, which was caused by someone who they knew was near or over the legal drink-drive limit.
Other findings from the survey saw 14% of motorists admit that they would drive in an emergency and 6% a short distance if they never went on a main road this Christmas even if they knew they were near or over the legal drink-drive limit.
Additionally, 4% would drive if it meant getting home for Christmas Day and 3% if they couldn’t get a taxi or a lift, even if they knew they were near or over the legal drink-drive limit.