1/3 of Aussies drive home drunk
December 11, 2007 by Alborz Fallah
Findings released today by national car insurer AAMI shows more than one-third of Australian drivers have got behind the wheel when they suspected they were over the legal drink-driving limit.
According to the research 37 per cent of Australians have driven when they suspected they were over .05 – the national legal limit (P-platers have a limit of 0.00).
15 per cent of drivers also admitted to taking a different route home to avoid known random breath test locations after they have been drinking.
What the findings show is that 15% of drivers have realised they can get away with drink driving. The issue seems to be that many still see Police deterrent as the only reason not to drink, instead of concern for their own safety and the safety of other road users.
Unfortunately for some motorists, even after acting responsibly by arranging alternative transport after a night out drinking, many are still at risk of being over .05 the next morning.
The most frightening statistic comes from 13 per cent of Australians who still have no idea about how many drinks they are able to consume before being over .05, and 28% incorrectly believe they can have‘’three or more’’ standard drinks per hour to remain under the legal limit.
So we ask you, have you ever driven while suspecting you were over the legal drink-driving limit?
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Have you ever driven while suspecting you were over the legal drink-driving limit?
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I reckon AAMI has based this finding on a Phone Survey. I received a random call at the start of the year regarding a survey on this very topic. It was supposedly for a large “motor insurance body’. You did need to be between a pre determined age set to take part however.
Either way, I would say those figures are correct.
I’m drunk now!
I am a car enthusiast, and love to drive. Whenever, wherever, whatever.
Therefore I don’t drink. At all.
Yep I hear what your saying Karl…….. this is not a joke.
I would think most people would think the same…..car enthusiast or not!
True car enthusiasts don’t do illegal & dangerous acts.
Too much of an investment at risk.
Timely survey result for the Christmas period.
Big problem regardless if 10% or 33%.
Witnessed two incidents over the weekend on the Tullamarine.Tradies Ute weaving in between slow left hand lane traffic & those doing 100+.He wanted to do 120+.
Then minutes after the airport I was tailgated at 85km/h in the 80zone after the airport.
Personality problems or they are on something?
What about illicit drugs?
Yep sooooooooo true David……problem is tests for drugs are too expensive still! What does a life cost though and how many do we lose because of druggies!!!!!!!
I know I will cop sh!t for saying this. But I have driven home drunk a few times, mostly during my younger years of driving. Why? Because I had no other logical way of getting home, because I was only “partially” drunk and finally because I knew I could probably get away with it if I stuck to the back streets.
In my defence I have only done it a few times and even then I over-compensated by driving well below the speed limit and giving myself plenty of room. Its no real defence and I am fully aware about that, but some of us in society believe that drink driving in some circumstances is the only option.
further to those statistics, it would be interesting to see what percentage believed a schooner of fullstrength beer was equal to one standard drink (it\’s about 1.4)
I have never driven drunk and never will. I love driving too much, but moreover I love my freedom and a guilt-free life
I have a one drink rule. More than one drink and I don’t risk it within the whole night. You just never know.
The sad thing is most people can and do regularly get away with it. I know someone who’s been blatantly doing it for years. Drink driving is never an option. Jason, I accept what you say but if getting home by car is the only possible option, then drinking in the first place ISN’T an option.
You don’t make the decision once it’s too late, you plan it before you even leave the house to go out.
just ban drinking like they ban smoking
problem solved
Bob, how can u be guilt free if u know someone that has been getting away with for years – isn’t there a moral obligation on your part to have done something about that?
I have zero tolerance for people who drink and drive.
I have been to too many accidents, including fatals, that were the result of drink driving.
The thing that disgusts me the most is that those who do drink and drive show no concern for the lives of others.
I also use the one drink rule. I get to a party, have my drink, then fill the same bottle up with water the remainder of the night.
Go home in total control, safety and knowing well that any accident I get involved in will most certainly not be my fault.
Steve
hey missile,
we now have random drug testing to accompany the breath test here in QLD.
from what they are saying it is immediate loss of license for any traces found in your system.
what other states test for drugs?
well im guessing WA dont yet
yep they do but they have to suspect you first……
Random testing for drugs is conducted in Tas.
Drowsy tired drivers are also a major risk.
Agree with the general sentiments here about the stupidity of driving drunk. However, here in the fantastic city of Sydney, I dare anyone to try catching a taxi at the wee hours of say \ Sun morning. At these times, there simply are NO buses going within cooee of where many ppl live, forget the trains so there is only taxi transport.
The other night on one of the rare occasions I am able to have a later night out, I gave up in disgust and walked home some 14km owing to the lack of cabs or ANY form of public transport – and I was not the only one. What kind of a retarded city is this? Seriously! What kind of a reportedly 24/7 international city can it be when you cant get any form of public transport. And this is the city – lets not even think about the outer suburbs. It is no bloody wonder ppl drink and drive.
BTW the were no booze buses or any sort of police car of any sort to be seen anywhere either.
A reminder for all tomorrow night not to drink and drive…..please!Be safe!
^or any night…..anytime…not ever!!