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Drinking laws spark road safety fears

More than half of motorists think roads will be less safe now that 24-hour drinking has been introduced, a survey has shown.

And as many as 94% believe drivers are more likely to be driving under the influence of drink the next morning, a survey of 539 people by www.motorinsurance.co.uk revealed.

Around 65% agreed with government findings that young men were the worst drink-drive offenders.

And 68% reckon that drinkers will find it harder to keep track of how much alcohol they have consumed under the new drinking laws.

The survey showed that 68% believe that having to re-take the driving test would be an effective deterrent against drink driving.

"Our survey shows what many have suspected, that longer licensing hours will inevitably be reflected in a higher incidence of drink related motoring offences," said Andrew Dunkerley , marketing director of www.motorinsurance.co.uk .

"The social consequences of drink driving can be far-reaching while the financial penalties, not least the fines imposed by the courts, are likely to be multiplied by insurance companies when they get round to considering future premiums for motorists guilty of drink offences."