Survey reveals 64% know of drunk-driver in past five years

Over one in four have been passenger driven by motorist in excess of the legal alcohol limit

Study also shows that drink-driving is perceived to be more of a problem in rural areas than urban ones. Photograph: PA
Study also shows that drink-driving is perceived to be more of a problem in rural areas than urban ones. Photograph: PA

A survey has indicated that 64 per cent of people say they know somebody who has knowingly driven a car when above the legal alcohol limit in the past five years.

The sample group was 1,015 adults who were interviewed during the Red C survey for Newstalk Radio. It questioned attitudes towards drink-driving here as well as personal experiences of drink-driving.

Male response

More than one in four people said that they may have been a passenger in a car driven by someone who was over the legal limit.

Meanwhile, 15 per cent think they themselves may have driven while over the limit – a number that rises to 24 per cent among men.

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The study also shows that drink-driving is perceived to be more of a problem in rural areas than urban ones – with 77 per cent agreeing that people in rural areas are more likely to drive when over the limit.

Meanwhile, more than a quarter of respondents said they believed that the legal drink-driving limit is too low.