DRINK-drive-related road fatalities and drink-driving convictions are on the decline, but drink-drive action is demanded by leasing company OSV whose survey showed one-in-four motorists are likely to consume alcohol over the festive period.
Its latest survey found that a quarter of motorists are likely to drink and drive over the Christmas and New Year break.
Offenders probably will not know if they are over the limit until it is too late – with a life-destroying crash or career-wrecking arrest
Twenty seven per cent of UK drivers made the admission when asked if they were likely to drink and drive over the Christmas period.
That was not necessarily that they would exceed the alcohol limit but the dangers exist with any alcohol consumed and offenders probably will not know if they are over the limit until it is too late – with a life-destroying crash or career-wrecking arrest.
Debbie Kirkley, co-founder of OSV, explained: “We carried out this survey last year and were shocked by the results.
“We wanted to conduct the survey again to find out if recent anti drink-drive campaigns were having an impact.
“Although drink driving convictions and fatalities have reduced, we have found that a larger percentage of people have admitted that they are likely to drink and drive over the Christmas holidays, showing that more needs to be done to combat drinking and driving over the festive period.”
In OSV’s 2015 survey, 22% admitted that they were likely to drink and drive. This means that the company have seen a 5% increase.
As many people are aware, even the smallest amount of alcohol can affect your driving ability.
Those motorists that are considering drink driving should remember that if caught exceeding the limit, you can expect to receive a large fine, a criminal record, a driving ban and a possible prison sentence.
The study, which surveyed over 1,000 drivers, revealed that men were more likely than women to drink and drive this holiday (no change from last year) and young drivers are set to be the biggest culprits of drink driving this Christmas (also no change from last year).
The survey also showed that motorists based in Wales are more likely to drink and drive than motorists based anywhere else in the UK this Christmas. Last year those in Scotland were more likely to drink and drive than anywhere else in the UK.
Reasons why people drink and drive vary. But, popular excuses still include peer pressure, feeling ok to drive and price of taxis.
Debbie concludes: “Drink driving can ruin the lives of so many people, so think about the consequences before you get behind the wheel after having a drink this Christmas”.
