• Almost nine out of 10 (88%) motorists say the government would be right to reduce the alcohol limit for drink-driving
• 69% believe any kind of drink driving is a huge risk and 47% that too many people drink and think they are still safe to drive
• However, October’s Startline Used Car Tracker shows 12% think it’s still possible to drive safely after a couple of drinks

October’s Startline Used Car Tracker shows 69% believe any kind of drinking and driving is a huge risk and 47% that too many people have a couple of drinks and trust they are still safe to drive.

Also, 30% of people think the plan – to reduce the maximum limit for drink-driving from 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood to 22 micrograms – will deter those who play fast and loose with the alcohol limit.

Few object to the idea – 12% surveyed say people can still drive safely if they’ve had one or two drinks, 9% that the current limit is fine and 4% that people who accidentally drink and drive, such as morning-after drivers, could get unfairly caught out.              

Paul Burgess, CEO at Startline Motor Finance, said: “When this lower limit was introduced in Scotland in 2014, there was an immediate reduction in the number of drivers being caught drink-driving, so there is strong evidence that a wider change in the law will work.

“Our research shows overwhelming backing for the move among motorists, which is probably expected, but also worryingly indicates there is a minority of people who have a looser attitude to drink-driving.

“Should the measure be implemented as part of the government’s new road safety strategy, as has been widely reported, it is this group we’d hope and expect would exercise greater caution regarding alcohol consumption when driving.”

The Startline Used Car Tracker is compiled monthly for Startline Motor Finance by APD Global Research, well-known in the motor industry for their business intelligence reporting and customer experience programs. This time, 300 consumers and 61 dealers were questioned.