One in five will drink and drive this Christmas

Young drivers and those aged 55-64 are most likely to drink alcohol and drive this festive season

Source: The Telegraph

26 November 2015

One in five motorists has admitted that they are likely to drink and drive over the festive season, despite more than 3,000 people being killed or seriously injured every year in drink-drive crashes.

Men are four times more likely to drink and drive this Christmas than women. Drivers aged 18-24, already perceived as most at risk of being involved in an accident even though they only make up 1.5 per cent of UK licence-holders, are likely to be the biggest culprits. Drivers aged 55-64 are the second most likely demographic to drink and drive.

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the legal alcohol limit for drivers is 80 milligrams of alcohol for every 100 millilitres of blood.

If caught, drivers can expect a large fine, a criminal record, a driving ban and a possible prison sentence, as well as the likelihood of a massive increase in insurance premiums.

Twenty-two per cent of UK drivers made the admission when asked if they were likely to drink and drive over the Christmas period.

Motorists living in Scotland are more likely to drink and drive this Christmas than motorists living elsewhere in the UK. Scotland introduced a lower limit of 50 milligrams per 100 millilitres in December 2014.

The study, which surveyed more than 1,000 drivers on behalf of vehicle leasing company OSV Ltd, revealed that men were five times more likely than women to drink and drive this holiday.

Sixteen per cent of drivers aged 18-24 said they would be likely to drink and drive, with nine per cent of respondents aged 55-64 saying they would also be likely to get behind the wheel with alcohol in their bloodstream.

The survey also showed that motorists in Scotland are more likely to drink and drive than motorists based anywhere else in the UK this Christmas. Eight per cent of motorists from Scotland made the admission, closely followed by six per cent of motorists in England.

The reasons given for drinking and driving include peer pressure, feeling fit to drive and the high cost of taxis.

Debbie Kirkley, co-Founder of OSV Ltd, said: “Drivers need to be more aware of the dangers and consequences that drink-driving can bring.

“Not only can you ruin your own life, you can also ruin the lives of others. No matter what time of the year it is, it is important to drive responsibly and without being under the influence of alcohol.”