As the annual abstinence month – Go Sober for October – kicks off, insurethebox data shows that young drivers are 6.5 times more at risk of an accident as a result of drink driving than someone in their 40s. And it’s not just about leaving the car behind on a night out – statistics show that the majority of drink driving penalties happen the morning after.
Simon Rewell, Road Safety Manager at insurethebox, commented: “Reducing road deaths and reducing drink driving are intrinsically linked. We know that telematics has the ability to change driver behaviour, and therefore has a powerful role to play in helping save lives. We also know that male drivers are most at risk of getting behind the wheel after having a drink, although females are also at risk.”
The majority of drink drive penalties happen in the early hours of Saturdays and Sundays, times that are proven to be the most dangerous for young drivers even before adding the judgment impairing effects of alcohol. Analysis of insurethebox claims data shows accident risk increases three-fold at night for the under 25s compared to an increase of 50% for over 25s - the extra experience of older drivers leaves them far better equipped for the challenges of driving in the dark.
If alcohol is involved, the youngest drivers see their accident risk rocket. When young people take to the roads after even just one drink they are putting themselves, their friends and other road users in potentially grave danger.
Simon Rewell added: “Drink driving is just not worth the risk. As well as significantly increasing the possibility of an accident, the impact of being found guilty of drink driving could include imprisonment, a fine of up to £2,500, a driving ban, and an increased insurance premium when the driver does get back on the road. It could also jeopardise an individual’s job if they drive for work.”
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