More women 'caught drink driving'

THE NUMBER of women convicted of drink-driving has almost doubled in recent years, a survey has shown.

Women accounted for 9% of drink-drive convictions in 1998, but this figure had risen to 17% by 2012, the survey revealed.

From car insurance company Direct Line and transport organisation the Rees Jeffreys Road Fund, the survey also showed that 17% of female motorists thought they had driven while over the legal alcohol limit in the past year.

As many as 60% of the women polled said they did not know the legal limit and in almost all cases, respondents felt they were personally able to drink more alcohol than the "average woman" before they were over the legal limit.

Among the women who admitted to drink-driving, the most common reason for doing so was because they felt physically "okay" to drive, as cited by 59%.

Almost a third (31%) thought it would be fine if they just drove carefully, while 17% felt they had no alternative other than to drink and drive, often due to "family emergencies".

A further 14% said they drove while over the limit because they thought there was little risk of being caught.

Road safety minister Robert Goodwill said: "Drink-driving wrecks lives, and the personal consequences of a drink-drive conviction can be devastating. In 2013, 803 women failed a breathalyser test after an accident and that is 803 too many.

"That is why we are cracking down on the minority who drink and drive by introducing a new offence of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and closing loopholes in the law to make it easier for police to prosecute drink-drivers, as well as tackling the menace of those who drive under the influence of illegal drugs.

"Later this year we will launch the next phase of the THINK! campaign on drink-driving. So our advice is simple; if you are driving have none for the road, as one drink can put you over the limit."

Steve Maddock, managing director of claims at Direct Line Group, said: "The issue of women and drink-driving is rarely addressed, but when we look at the figures, we can see that this is a real issue.

"Part of the problem is a lack of awareness and confusion as to what constitutes drink-driving and also the misguided belief that in some circumstances, driving while over the limit can be justified.

"While we'd encourage all drivers who drink alcohol to ensure they know and understand the legal limits, we'd urge them to avoid drinking alcohol altogether if they intend to get behind the wheel."

By Peter Woodman, Press Association