Three quarters of drivers expect to be ‘designated driver’ over festive period

75% of British drivers expect to be the designated driver at some point during the festive season, a new survey has found.

The Euro Car Parts Survey, published in November, also reveals that 28% of respondents plan to leave their car at home so they can have a drink at Christmas.

40% expect to be the designated driver up to three times, while more than a fifth admit they argue with their family about who will fulfill the role.

The survey shows that British families try to keep it fair when it comes to splitting out the driving duties, with 41% admitting that they will take it in turns with other family members to be the designated driver.

However, almost a third (31%) of men stated they usually get named the designated driver because they are the ‘most confident driver in the family’.

Euro Car Parts says the appointment of a designated driver is ‘wise’, given how much alcohol Brits expect to consume over the festive period.     

Martin Gray, CEO of Euro Car Parts said: “For many people across the UK, Christmas can involve a lot of time on the roads travelling around to see family members.

“It’s important that safety always remains a concern and the best way of ensuring this is to decide on a designated driver from the outset.”

For this Christmas, Coca-Cola has brought back its Designated Driver scheme – run in partnership with the Department for Transport’s THINK! Drink Drive campaign – rewarding those who volunteer to do the driving over the festive period.

Now in its ninth year, Coca-Cola says the campaign is ‘how we say thanks’ to those who help thier loved ones get home safely over the Christmas party season. It gives designated drivers a special ‘buy one, get one free’ offer across a range of soft drinks at pubs, bars and restaurants all across the country, including many rural locations.