Third of drivers 'take a drink'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/7699997.stm

Version 0 of 1.

A third of respondents to a Northern Ireland road safety survey think it is acceptable to drive after having one alcoholic drink.

However, 61% of people interviewed for the NI Road Safety Monitor 2008 would not travel in a car when the driver had taken a drink.

The study revealed 40% of motorists surveyed normally exceed the speed limit on motorways.

The survey sampled the behaviour, attitudes and awareness of the public.

A total of 14% of motorists interviewed said they normally exceed the speed limit on roads in a built up area, with this figure jumping to 17% outside a built up area, and 25% on dual carriageways.

The survey reported that 27% of those interviewed who drink, would walk across a public road after having five or more alcoholic beverages.

Half of the respondents said they thought it was likely that drivers using a hand held mobile phone would be caught by the police.

A total of 94% of motorists interviewed said they would drive more carefully if they had three penalty points on their licence.

Although 33% of respondents thought it was acceptable to drive after one drink, 65% felt motorists should not be allowed to drive after drinking any alcohol.