Don't drive yourself to a conviction this Christmas

Male motorists living in the City of London are revealed as most likely to have a conviction for drink driving, according to moneysupermarket.com.

The UK's leading price comparison site analysed almost three million motor insurance quotes over a year for motorists with convictions. It found thirty-something men living in the City of London, are the most likely to have a drink-driving conviction on their licence (16 per cent). Men in their early twenties living in Lewes, East Sussex come in a close second, with 14 per cent having the DR10 conviction, with boy-racers aged 17 to 21 from Brecon in Wales and Paisley in Scotland taking third and fourth spots.

Steve Sweeney, head of motor insurance at moneysupermarket.com said: "While it's no great shock to see high powered "City Boys" are likely to have a drink driving conviction, it is interesting to see there are no female drivers included in the top ten. What's concerning about this research is that it's the UK's boy-racers leading the way, but in surprising rural hotspots in Wales and Scotland. Of course we all want to get into the Christmas spirit at this time of year but drink-driving costs lives."

"The rules of the road are there for a reason; motorists who get in a car having consumed alcohol will find that their reaction times, co-ordination and judgement will be impaired - making them a danger not only to themselves but also to other motorists and pedestrians too. It is worry to know that getting behind the wheel at twice the legal limit means you're 30 times more likely to cause a crash. It's therefore no wonder insurers take such a harsh view of those caught behind the wheel under the influence."

Motorists tempted to drink-drive this festive season will face hefty penalties on their motor insurance premiums. If found driving, or attempting to drive, whilst under the influence of alcohol (penalty code DR10), motorists can expect their annual premiums to rise by 75 per cent on average. Some insurers will not even quote to insure a previously convicted drink-driver. Not only could ‘boozy' motorists face a year long ban from the roads, but the DR10 conviction will remain on their licence for 11 years, and could therefore add thousands of pounds to the cost of their premium over this period.

Steve Sweeney added: "Of course, the price you pay will be dependent on the severity of your conviction but finding yourself uninsurable or facing unmanageable insurance premiums as a result is surely something most motorists could do without; especially alongside a £1,000 fine, 12 month ban and a possible prison sentence. Surely getting in the driving seat after drinking just isn't worth it. "