Fifth of convicted drivers have been driving a year or less -As Christmas Build-Up Warns of Surge in Drink Driving Offences

New data shows 17% of convicted drivers have held a licence for just 12 months or under – with a further 4% carrying a provisional licence.

Quotezone.co.uk analysed a sample of over 15,000 convicted drivers across the UK, showing the number one offence, with 25% of all convictions, to be drinking with alcohol level above limit.  When broken down locally, all but three GB regions rank this drink driving offence as its top driving crime.

The winter evenings, especially in the run up to Christmas, witness a surge in drink driving offences as the UK’s alcohol intake increases dramatically across the festivities.

According to DfT (Department for Transport) statistics, drink driving was declining in the early 2000s and 2010s, however, over the last decade, incidents have been on the rise, with Christmas drink drive collisions reaching over 8500, throughout just November and December.*

It’s vitally important all drivers heed the early warnings, especially those new to driving, and don’t drink and drive.  If people need to drive the next day, they should check their blood alcohol levels using the simple online tools available – note these are only an estimate, if drivers are in any doubt about their legal limit, it’s safer to forgo driving the next day altogether.

Driving or attempting to drive while above the legal drink limit or unfit because of drink could result in 6 months in prison, an unlimited fine and a driving ban for at least one year – increased to three years if they have been convicted of drink driving twice in ten years.

Founder and CEO of car insurance comparison site Quotezone.co.uk, Greg Wilson, said: “The fact that drink driving is the number one driving offence in the UK is disturbing – especially when over a fifth of offences are committed by new drivers.

“Those new to the road, with less experience, should be extra cautious and keen to follow the rules of the road to the letter.  The consequences of driving under the influence could be life-changing for all concerned.

“Now is the time of year to be extra careful on the roads and plan ahead – with so many popular zero alcohol alternatives and online calculators now readily available to help motorists check they’re safe to drive, incidents with drink driving should be a thing of the past.

“It could be the case that people don’t realise how much the alcohol is still affecting them the next day, most people assume once they’ve had a good night’s sleep that they’re ready to take to the road but this simply isn’t the case.

“The online calculators help drivers work out how long each drink takes to leave their system, this gives them an idea of when it’s safe to drive again – although these should be used with caution as everyone’s body type is different, always best to avoid driving early the next morning just in case and all aim for a Christmas with safer roads.”