Spring is worst time of year for drink- driving: Survey

London: A survey has revealed that spring is the worst time of the year for drinking and driving. The number of drivers testing positive, or refusing a breath test, is at its highest between March and May, the UK Home Office said.

By contrast, the Christmas period has the fewest number of over-the-limit drivers. Recent figures showed that 17 per cent of drivers stopped in March 2009 were over the limit or refused to be tested. In April and May the figure was 16 per cent – but in December the numbers plummeted to only five per cent. A survey by road safety charity Brake and insurer Direct Line also revealed that 31 per cent of drivers think they have a less than one in 10 chance of being caught driving drunk. “The number of breath tests carried out is inadequate in providing a deterrent and tackling the number of casualties that result from drink-driving,” the Daily Express quoted Julie Townsend of Brake as saying. “The Government needs to strengthen our position on drink-driving before more die,” Townsend added. ANI