Research reveals extent of ‘driving under influence’
New research commissioned by Auto Trader shows that 30% of 17-24 year old drivers admit to drinking and driving, and one in five admit to driving while under the influence of drugs.
The research, conducted amongst 8,300 young motorists, indicates that more than 30% of young drivers say they ‘feel fine to drive’ after they have been drinking - and 10% say that they drive slowly and carefully if they have been drinking.
The results also show that nearly 20% of 17-24 year old drivers regularly smoke cannabis, with 12% regularly taking cocaine. Nearly 45% commented that they ‘feel fine to drive’ if they have taken drugs.
Nearly 10% commented that ‘there is nothing wrong with driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol’.
50% admitted that they weren’t aware of the legal limit for alcohol content in the blood, with nearly 40% believing the limit to be two units of any alcoholic drink. And nearly 30% believe that drivers on drugs have a heightened sense of awareness and drive cautiously.
Around 20% of respondents have had an accident or near miss while driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs - yet nearly 70% went on to say that it didn’t stop them from drink/drug driving again.
Auto Trader has launched the ‘Don’t Wreck The Ride’ campaign to raise awareness of the dangers facing younger drivers. Details of the campaign can be found at: www.autotrader.co.uk
The campaign is spearheaded by reformed ‘boy-racer’ Nick Bennett, who suffered mobility, speech and nervous system injuries after a high-speed smash.
He said: “I was just an average 17-year-old bloke - I loved playing football, going out with my mates and driving my car. Now I can’t do any of those things.
“I used to regularly take risks while driving – speeding, racing my mates, overtaking dangerously and never thought that much about it. Then one day I paid for my stupidity.”
For further information contact Karen Hughes on 020 7025 8044, or karenh@drumbeat.co.uk
