ONE IN five passengers have admitted to knowingly taking a lift from a drunk driver in the last two years, according to a survey conducted by insurance company AA Ireland.
In the survey of more than 14,000 motorists, a small number of passengers – fewer than 1 per cent – said they were “regularly” driven by drivers over the limit.
The survey comes in advance of next month’s lowering of drink driving limits from 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood to as low as 20mg for learner and professional drivers. The new limit for remaining motorists is to be lowered to 50mg.
The online survey showed 15 per cent of those surveyed said they had “rarely” taken a lift from a drunk driver, while some 4.4 per cent said they “seldom” did. Just five people – a small fraction of one per cent – said they would have taken a lift from a drunk driver on a daily basis.
While the figures indicated an alarming number of people prepared to risk their lives being driven by a driver over the legal limit, comments from respondents indicated they did not have a cavalier attitude to the potentially fatal risk.
“Most people said they were put in difficult social circumstances before they took the lift,” said the AA’s director of policy Conor Faughnan. He said this typically included those who were stranded after a disco and knew the offer of a lift came from someone who had been drinking in excess of the driving limit.
He said “difficult social circumstances” had also been mentioned by respondents who said they had been driven to work by someone who was clearly suffering a hangover and was still over the limit.
“Some people get regular lifts to and from work and they have told us they are sometimes aware the driver may have been out until 5am and had just one and a half hours sleep, before getting up again,” said Mr Faughnan.
“Alcohol is a contributing factor in a third of fatal accidents on our roads, and passengers owe it to their own safety and that of other road users not to turn a blind eye or allow convenience to overrule their good sense.”
Mr Faughnan said a similar survey last year had found 87 per cent of motorists said “they believe drink driving to be extremely shameful”.
“While high in relative terms, this still means that 13 per cent have other ideas, which is worrying.”
Mr Faughnan said the survey had a positive aspect in that very few people had suggested rural dwellers should be allowed to drive while drunk. “Overall, the survey shows the vast majority of people accept you should never travel with an over-the-limit driver.
“We probably can never convince some people of the danger of their behaviour, and they will never believe they are dangerous or will crash, but we can catch them,” he said.
Mr Faughnan added even the most determined drink driver “will suddenly look for a taxi if they see a flashing blue light in the car park”.
