Britons show they do not know drink-driving laws

MORE than half of Britons admit they do not know the drink drive limit – and a fifth are prepared to take a chance by getting behind the wheel when they do not know if they are over the legal amount.

A report by Confused.com also found that 31 per cent of drivers are unaware that other factors such as weight, stress levels, gender, whether you have eaten recently and age means alcohol can affect individuals differently.

A further 13 per cent of people have admitted to feeling tipsy when driving and 20 per cent would be willing to chance drink driving.

And almost half of those polled said they know someone who has been caught, while 5 per cent have been stopped by police while over the drink drive limit – with men more likely culprits than women.

A total of 250 people were killed and 1,230 were seriously injured on British roads in 2010 by drivers over the drink drive limit.

Rebecca Clough, head of campaigns and communication at alcohol education charity Drinkaware, said: “Even small amounts of alcohol can affect your ability to drive. The only safe advice is to avoid drinking if you are driving. If you are planning to drink when you go out, make alternative arrangements like choosing a ‘designated driver’ from your group of friends, plan your journey home by public transport or use a licensed taxi.”