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

  • Government traffic statistics ‘highlight a growing issue in the UK’
    August 12, 2016
    The UK Department for Transport has issued its provisional estimates of road traffic in Great Britain for the year ending June 2016 by vehicle type and road class. These show that motor vehicle traffic was at a record high with 319.3 billion vehicle miles travelled, at 1.5 per cent higher than the previous year and 1.6 per cent higher than September 2007). Rolling annual motor vehicle traffic has now increased each quarter in succession for three years. Compared to the previous year, all road class
  • Telematics devices ‘prompt changes in driving behaviour’
    November 23, 2015
    More than half (56 per cent) of the drivers participating in an Insurance Research Council (IRC) online public opinion survey have made changes in how they drive since installing a telematics device provided by their insurance company in their primary vehicle. The report, Auto Insurance Telematics: Consumer Attitudes and Opinions, also claims that 36 per cent of respondents said they have made small changes in how they drive and 18 per cent said they have made significant changes. Thirty-eight per cent s
  • Car-sharing service membership will grow to 26 million worldwide in 2020
    November 30, 2015
    According to a new research report by Berg Insight, the number of users of car-sharing services worldwide is forecasted to grow from 6.5 million people in 2015 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 32.0 per cent to reach 26.0 million people in 2020. Berg Insight forecasts that the number of cars used for car-sharing services will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 29.6 per cent from 123,000 at the end of 2015 to 450,000 at the end of 2020. Car-sharing is one of many car-based mobility service
  • Tachometer breaks cause nearly 1,700 road closures, says IAM
    December 11, 2015
    Tachometer breaks, the mandatory rest stops commercial operators must take when driving, were the cause of nearly 1,700 road closures in one year alone, according to newly released figures from IAM Drive & Survive. According to the Road Haulage Association, 85 per cent of everything sold in the UK is carried by truck at some stage of the supply chain, with this number set to increase as more retail purchases are made online in the run up to Christmas. The numbers come from a Freedom of Information re