Third of South-East car passengers let friends drive while over the limit

One in every three of car passengers in the South East of England have admitted to knowingly getting in a car with a driver who was close to or over the limit, a new survey says.
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The recent research, carried out to mark National Road Safety Week (November 23-29), also found that 22% of people know someone who regularly drives when over the limit.

The region’s drivers were questioned too, and 24% revealed they have driven the morning after a night of heavy drinking, knowing they might still be over the limit.

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The survey was commissioned by personal injury claims specialists Hudgell Solicitors, who said they see a spike in cases each year from November to January related to worsening weather conditions.

With the festive period approaching, the survey focused on the judgement people make as to their own abilities when having drank alcohol.

Those aged 25-34 the most likely age group to get into a car with a driver knowing they were close to or over the limit.

Matt Tuff, a solicitor who handles road accident compensation claims for Hudgell Solicitors said: “This survey paints a very interesting picture of how many drivers perhaps flout the drink-drive laws, putting themselves and others in serious danger of serious injury,”

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“As specialists in handling personal injury and accident compensation claims, we see the devastating impact serious road accidents can have on peoples’ lives. They can be life-changing incidents, leaving the victims needing a complete package of support to provide them with any chance of being able to rebuild their lives.

“Leaving somebody facing that kind of battle is not something anybody wants on their conscience, so we feel that it is important to raise this issue as part of Road Safety Week, as well as the need for people to generally adjust their driving to meet the tougher conditions on the roads.”

This, coupled with the fact that 42 per cent of people admitted they wouldn’t be prepared to inform police if they knew a close friend often drove over the limit, suggests the British public are not taking drink-drive laws seriously, despite the obvious dangers.

Furthermore, 29% of people who have been driving for over five years say they wouldn’t be confident in passing their test now if they had to take it again.

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