A survey by Autoline Insurance Group has highlighted that 73% of motorists did not know the legal drink driving limit, while 84% did not know the minimum legal tread depth for the tyres of a car.
Autoline conducted the survey among over 800 motorists from across Northern Ireland this month. Motorists were asked if they knew the legal drink driving limit in Northern Ireland, the minimum legal tread depth for tyres on a car and the legal speed limit on a single carriageway road, which is not in a built up area.
The survey revealed that the majority polled (66%) answered the correct answer of 60mph to the third question on the legal speed limit. The legal drink driving limit is 80mg of alcohol in 100mls of blood and the minimum legal tread depth is 1.6mm for car tyres.
Michael Blaney, Managing Director of Autoline Insurance Group, said:
“I was quite shocked at the number of people who got answers wrong in the survey, in particular in relation to the drink driving limit and the minimum tyre tread depth. Drivers who risk drink driving when over the limit, are not only in danger of being convicted but also of putting the lives of other drivers and pedestrians in danger.
“The reason why so many motorists don’t know the answer to the drink drive limit question is that they may not risk drinking any alcohol and driving. However, if motorists are stopped by the PSNI or cause an accident and their tyre tread depth does not meet the minimum requirement they risk accumulating penalty points from fixed endorsements, and/or receiving convictions through the courts. “As a result they are likely to see increased premiums due to their driving offences. Having a history of driving offences will also limit the markets to which a broker can place the business for a client. Some insurers will not quote with several or certain offences, and therefore this may limit the competitiveness in terms of premium and cover for the consumer.”
Barry Griffin, Executive Officer at the Road Safety Council of Northern Ireland, said:
“I find it alarming that so many of the motorists surveyed are not aware of basic information, which is contained in the Highway Code. To try to address this we conduct a lot of outreach activity with adults and schoolchildren, teaching them about the Highway Code in innovative ways. Our message is ‘Do not drink and drive’ so we are asking motorists not to risk drinking any alcohol and driving.
“If people are unsure how to check their tyre tread depth, the easiest way to do this is to use a twenty pence coin. You simply insert a 20p coin into the tyre’s tread grooves. If you are able to see the inside rim of the coin, the tyre tread may be worn close to the legal limit. As we are in the wettest months of the year, sufficient tyre tread depth is fundamental to braking safely and therefore a critical element of road safety. Motorists keen to access the most recent copy of the Highway Code can download it through links on our website at www.roadsafetycouncil.com.”
Autoline Insurance Group operates across Northern Ireland with offices in Ballymena, Coleraine, Downpatrick, Dungannon and Newry.
