When you fly out to a holiday destination, do you enjoy a drink on the plane, do you know how much you have drunk, and do you know if you are allowed to drive when you arrive, all questions that need answering the next time you fly - drive.
In-flight drinking puts holidaymakers at risk when they drive from the airport -
New research released today reveals that up to 1.7 million(1) motorists have lost track of their alcohol consumption during a flight and then got behind the wheel at the airport - potentially putting themselves and other road users at risk.
The research, conducted by esure car insurance, found that almost half (46 per cent) of those polled are completely unaware of the drink-driving laws in the countries they visit and drive in. This is despite the fact that most European countries(2) have either lower drink driving limits than the UK or operate a zero tolerance policy on drink driving.
Drinking even a pint of lager or a glass of wine in many European destinations, such as Spain or Greece, is likely to put motorists over the legal limit - something that 14 per cent of Brits questioned have done before driving a hire car from the airport
With over half (51 per cent) of those polled admitting to in-flight drinking and then driving a car upon arrival at their holiday or business trip destination - 29 per cent confess that they do not keep a close tally of what and how often they drink during their flight.
Drinking even a pint of lager or a glass of wine in many European destinations, such as Spain or Greece, is likely to put motorists over the legal limit - something that 14 per cent of Brits questioned have done before driving a hire car from the airport.
Don Shenker, Chief Executive of Alcohol Concern, said: "Most European countries have lower drink driving limits than the UK, in order to make their roads safer for everyone.
"With different rules and speed limits in different countries, full concentration is vital on unfamiliar roads. The safest option is to not drink at all during flights if you're going to drive later that day or the next morning. Spending your holiday in a foreign police station or hospital is a sure-fire way to ruin it."
Worryingly, more than one in six (16 per cent) of those polled admitted that there had been at least one occasion when they may have been over the legal drink-drive limit for a particular country. A further three per cent of motorists even confessed that they may have been over the legal limit several times while driving abroad.
Despite this, two thirds (66 per cent) of motorists polled said that they had consumed alcohol during a flight before, with nearly a quarter (23 per cent) consuming three units or more during an average flight and three per cent drinking five units or more.
Furthermore, 16 per cent of those polled said that during a flight abroad they would try alcoholic beverages or cocktails that they wouldn't normally drink at home.
Regardless of driving safety, 42 per cent of those polled admit to drinking alcohol on planes to 'get into the holiday spirit', almost a quarter (23 per cent) said they drink to alleviate boredom, while 13 per cent do so for stress relief. A further 11 per cent consume alcohol during a flight to counter their a fear of flying.
Mike Pickard, Head of Risk and Underwriting at esure car insurance, said: "Most motorists are aware of the legal drink-drive limit in the UK but it is concerning that very few are aware of the legislation abroad - as many Brits consume alcohol during flights and then get behind the wheel at their holiday destination.
"It's very easy to be tempted by the more unusual spirits and free drinks offered by so many carriers, but if you intend to drive once you reach your destination, then it's best not to drink during your flight at all."
Research(3) also suggests that little is known about the after effects of consuming alcohol at altitude; with some studies suggesting that it could make a person feel more intoxicated.
Regional Differences
A shocking 31 per cent - almost a third - of motorists from the North East admit that there has been at least one occasion when they may have been over the legal drink-drive limit for the particular country they visited, compared to just seven per cent of Scottish drivers.
And while just two per cent of those polled in Yorkshire have lost track of the amount of alcohol they consumed during a flight, almost one in 10 (nine per cent) of motorists polled in London admit to forgetting how much alcohol they consumed.
Gender Divide
On a typical flight, of those questioned, more men drink alcohol than women, with the average male consuming 2.2 units(4) compared to 1.8 units for women.
Meanwhile, almost a third of men (31 per cent) admit that they don't keep a close tally of what they are drinking compared to a quarter (25 per cent) of women polled.
Legal Drink-Drive Limits in Europe (grams of alcohol per litre of blood):
* 0.8g = UK, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta
* 0.5g = Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany Greece, Italy, Latvia, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain
* 0.4g = Lithuania
* 0.2g = Norway, Poland, Sweden
* Zero tolerance = Estonia, Romania, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary
Source: European Road Safety Observatory 2007
About Alcohol Concern:
Alcohol Concern is the national agency on alcohol misuse campaigning for effective alcohol policy and improved services for people whose lives are affected by alcohol-related problems.
Alcohol Concern is a membership body working at a national level to influence alcohol policy and champion best practice locally. We support professionals and organisations by providing expertise, information and guidance. We are a challenging voice to the drinks industry and promote public awareness of alcohol issues.
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