Nearly a third (31%) of drivers that drink admit to driving when over the legal alcohol limit - equivalent to 10 million UK adults - according to a recent survey. The survey was commissioned by insurance company RIAS, who warn many people are still prepared to risk drink driving despite a huge decline in drink driving.
RIAS warns that those in their 30s appear to be 'particularly irresponsible when it comes to drinking and driving', with over two fifths (44%) admitting to driving when knowingly over the limit. The survey also claims that one fifth (20%) of drivers in their 30s that drink believe they would be 'safe' to drive after six or seven glasses of beer or wine.
Although a lower number of drivers over 50 that drink admit to driving over the limit, nearly one quarter (24%) still admit to doing so. Almost a fifth (19%) of over 50s that drink also believe their alcohol tolerance is higher now than when they were younger - as such the 'over 50s in particular are at risk of complacency as the effects of ageing come into play' RIAS warns.
Two fifths (40%) of adults who have driven over the limit reported having encountered serious consequences as a result including losing their licence, crashing or falling asleep at the wheel.
Fair warning?
A significant shift in drink driving culture over the last 50 years - against a longer term trend of rising consumption - may of course be considered a key success in alcohol policy terms. Indeed rates for drink driving and related accidents appear to have been continuing to decline in recent years. Yet as the survey suggests, most drink driving offences are not likely to result in the person getting caught, and drink-drive incidents still account for around 13% of all road fatalities - roughly 230 a year.
The survey does also appear to correctly identify higher rates of drink-driving in younger age groups; previous reports identified more under 25’s appeared to be drink driving. However earlier this year the Police Federation also warned that compared to men, women are 'not getting the message' as women make up an increasing proportion of convictions.
In 2013 a warning that 'morning after’ drink driving was on the increase was also reported, with 46% of drivers having no idea or underestimated how long it took for alcohol to leave the body. Limited knowledge about units and drink driving legal limits and the associated 'guesswork' of course have significant implications for the accuracy of such self-report surveys.
Changing the legal limit?
Many recent media reports around drink driving have been in response to debates over whether to reduce the legal drink drive limit in England and Wales. In December last year Scotland's legal blood alcohol limit for driving was cut from 80mg to 50mg in every 100ml of blood. Figures to date indicate that would be drink drivers have adapted accordingly, with no spike in offences since the change.
In 2011 it was announced the legal drink-drive limit in England would remain at 80mg per 100ml of blood despite an independent report calling for it to be reduced to bring it in line with most European countries. Instead the Government said it would focus on "improving enforcement and education to tackle the drink and drug drivers who put lives at risk." Last year a drink-drive advert looked back over the last 50 years of drink driving.
See here for the Think! road safety website, including facts and advice on drink-driving.
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