Nearly four in 10 young drivers aged 18 to 27 believe driving while marginally over the legal alcohol limit is acceptable, according to a survey published on Friday by Direct Line Motor Insurance. The findings suggest a generational divide, with 38% of Gen Z motorists considering it okay to drive after drinking, compared to almost half of all adults who view any drink-driving as socially unacceptable.
The survey also found that a third of Gen Z drivers think they should be able to judge for themselves whether they are safe to drive after consuming alcohol. Matt Pernet, head of Direct Line Motor Insurance, expressed concern, stating: 'Personal judgment is an unreliable source when it comes to knowing if you are safe to drive, especially as many adults cannot correctly identify the legal limits.' He noted that Government data from 2023 showed 35% of drink-driving collisions involved a driver under 30.
The findings come as Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander reportedly considers cutting the drink-drive limit in England and Wales from 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath to 22 micrograms, matching the current limit in Scotland. A separate RAC poll on Tuesday found that 82% of UK drivers support tougher measures to tackle drink-driving.
Direct Line's survey highlights a worrying trend among younger drivers, with Pernet adding: 'Seeing in the results that a third of Gen Z think that they should be able to judge for themselves if they are safe to drive is extremely worrying.' The proposed reduction in the legal limit aims to address such attitudes and improve road safety.
