How many people in Dorset would stop a colleague drink driving?
We're being urged to consider the consequences of drink and drug driving
With Christmas party season well underway, it's been revealed that 7 in 10 people in Dorset wouldn't stop a colleague drink or drug driving.
The survey carried out by road safety charity, I AM Road Smart also found that 69% of us in the county wouldn't be comfortable telling their boss not to get behind the wheel under the influence.
And 51% wouldn't stop a parent driving if they'd been drinking either.
The charity's Director of Policy and Standards, Nicholas Lyes told Greatest Hits Radio that the numbers are a bit of a shock, considering three-quarters of us are planning a night out over the Christmas period.
"It's really important that this time of year where you have a festive period and where there is lots of alcohol that is potentially going to be flowing, that you don't know, don't only have responsibility as to yourself, but it's also making sure that others get home safely as well."
'Be a good colleague, look out for each other'
And with so many of us seemingly reluctant to stop our bosses doing something dangerous and illegal, Nicholas says there could be a fear of victimisation from those in authority.
"They worry that that it's going to impact on them in the workplace," he said, "That's really concerning and it's something that I think we should all be aware of.
"I think actually a good colleague is one who says, 'I don't think you should be doing that, let me call you a taxi instead.'"
Nicholas added that despite the years of campaigning by the Department for Transport focussing on 'mates don't let mates drink drive', perhaps the message hasn't got into workplace as hoped.
Nicholas encourages us to speak up, saying if several speak up, it makes it "more difficult" for someone to get into a vehicle when under the influence.
Getting caught 'will change your life'
Police forces across the country have launched their campaigns to tackle drink and drug driving this winter, and Nicholas warns us that getting caught will change our lives.
"Police will be out and about, they have new equipment to test for drug driving," he said. Nicholas added that since 2015, drug driving convictions have rocketed from about 1000 to more than 20,000 in 2021.
"It's very straightforward for police to pull people over on the side of the roads and they will be focusing on drink driving this Christmas.
"So if it's not the safety implications that bother you, it should be the idea that you get caught, it will change your life."