According to a survey by www.motorinsurance.co.uk as many as half of all drivers feel that the roads will become more dangerous as a result of the new 24 hour licensing laws. They also believe that 94% of people who have been drinking will get behind the wheel of their cars the next morning and drive. Lots of people don’t realise that you are likely to still be over the drink drive limit the morning after drinking alcohol.
The results are based on the responses of 539 people who were quizzed about their attitude towards the new licensing laws and drink driving offences. The survey showed that people are genuinely concerned about people drink driving and the devastating effects that it can have. 68% of people thought that drinkers will find it more difficult to keep tabs on how much they have consumed under the new laws and will get in their car without thinking of the consequences.
The number of women convicted of drink driving has risen in recent years. There is still a higher level of male convictions however, in 1997 there were 11 male drink driving convictions to every 1 female conviction. In 2002 there were 8 male convictions to every 1 female. Women who are convicted of drink driving force up the cost of insuring their cars. The cost of car insurance for women is generally lower than male car insurance but once someone is convicted of a driving offence they may find themselves paying a lot more than they had in the past.
People who are convicted of drink driving may have to deal with a broad range of consequences. These are: