Many motorists ‘would raise drink drive alarm’

Almost half of motorists would call the police if they saw a stranger getting behind the wheel when clearly over the drink-drive limit, according to new research.

Almost half of motorists would call the police if they saw a stranger over the drink-drive limit get behind the wheel. Picture: PA

Some 49 per cent of people would alert the authorities if they spotted someone who had drunk too much getting ready to drive, the survey of 29,568 motorists found.

This figure plummets when the situation involves a friend (3 per cent) or relative (2 per cent), although 78 per cent said they would take away the car keys and call a cab if it arose when they were meant to be getting a lift home from a Christmas party.

The research was commissioned by motoring organisation the AA to mark the launch of its joint anti-drink-drive campaign with Irish whiskey brand Jameson.

AA president Edmund King said: “Worse public transport, more parties or relatives to pick up should not be an excuse to drink and drive.”