Skip to main content

Britain’s Christmas drinking habits revealed

Seasonal research into Britain’s drinking habits highlights that over a quarter of British adults (26 per cent) will consume more than 15 units of alcohol over Christmas, 24 to 26 December – the equivalent of 12.9 million people. This is well over the National Health Service’s recommended consumption of 9-12 units for men and 6-9 units for women over a three day period.
December 24, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
Seasonal research into Britain’s drinking habits highlights that over a quarter of British adults (26 per cent) will consume more than 15 units of alcohol over Christmas, 24 to 26 December – the equivalent of 12.9 million people. This is well over the National Health Service’s recommended consumption of 9-12 units for men and 6-9 units for women over a three day period.

The study was carried out by Steak Group on behalf of gadget insurer gadgetbuddy.com which has been reviewing the latest smartphone breathalysers. In a look at those exceeding 15 units between Christmas Eve and Boxing Day (inclusive), the North West tops the table with 31 per cent in an average year.

The lowest drinkers seem to be those in the West Midlands, where 20 per cent said they usually consume more than 15 units over the Christmas period.

Prior to and for the duration of the festive period, safety campaigns have been stepped up in a bid to reduce the number of accidents on Britain’s roads.

The results of the research suggest, of those polled, a significant number of 18-24 year olds  underestimate how long it takes for an individual’s blood alcohol level to return to zero after drinking. 17 per cent, or around just under a 1 million, believed it takes five hours or less for an individual’s blood alcohol level to reach zero if they had consumed six units. In fact, it takes on average one hour for the body to break down one unit of alcohol; this can take much longer given a range of factors including gender, weight and metabolism.

Around 85 per cent of all respondents were unaware that Smartphone breathalysers, which could help a person to see if they are over the legal limit, are available to purchase online.

Related Content

  • June 9, 2017
    Latest annual rail freight figures show the future for rail freight, say campaigners
    The latest annual Office of Rail and Road (ORR) rail freight statistics show consistent expansion in the key consumer and construction rail freight markets with record levels of traffic, according to the Campaign for Better Transport, demonstrating the potential and demand for rail freight services. This year has been a period of transition for the industry as it adjusts to the deep decline in coal traffic.
  • September 15, 2016
    UK motorists ‘relax attitudes’ on distracted driving
    Research for the RAC’s Report on Motoring 2016 has revealed that for some, attitudes towards handheld mobile use have worryingly relaxed over the last two years. The proportion of people who feel it is acceptable to take a quick call on a handheld phone has doubled from seven per cent in 2014 to 14 per cent in 2016 and the percentage of drivers who feel it is safe to check social media on their phone when in stationary traffic, either at traffic lights or in congestion, has increased from 14 per cent in
  • April 30, 2012
    Smartphone apps creating more distraction for young drivers
    Recent survey findings from Ingenie, a UK car insurance brand for young drivers, have revealed that 58 per cent of 17-25 year old drivers agree that smartphone apps are causing young people to be more distracted at the wheel. The company commissioned the survey of 1,000 young drivers, conducted by One Poll, which has uncovered the extent of how smartphones and social media are distracting 17-25 year olds when behind the wheel.
  • November 28, 2013
    User based insurance is helping good drivers and identifying the bad ones
    Thomas Hallauer gives an overview of Usage Based Insurance (UBI), an industry that is putting telematic devices into more vehicles than fleet management ever did. The insurance market is going through a transformation phase never seen before. Insurers have not only started to track individual cars for Usage Based Insurance (UBI), they are also using the technology to enhance consumer services as more drivers join up to these schemes. Progressive Insurance in the US has 1.4 million customers signed up to