‘I’ve been in a car with a drink driver’, young drivers’ shocking admissions

News
RACQ has revealed an alarming number of young people have admitted to getting into a car with a potentially drunk driver, prompting a warning for all teens heading to schoolies this weekend.
young drivers

Club spokesperson Lauren Ritchie said almost 40 percent of young drivers surveyed by RACQ admitted to putting themselves in danger by being a passenger in a car when they believed the driver was over the legal blood alcohol limit.

“Sadly, we know P platers are a very high-risk age group and are regularly over-represented in fatal road crashes,” Ms Ritchie said.

“With a lot of younger drivers heading away with their friends and potentially driving long distances to Schoolies celebrations, this is an important reminder to young adults to think ahead.

“There’s always an alternative to getting in the car with someone who has been affected by drugs or alcohol.”

Ms Ritchie said it was also important for parents to speak with their children about the dangers.

“We encourage parents to educate their kids about trusting their gut to remove themselves from a situation that feels wrong and to have a back-up plan, whether that’s having a parent or relative pick them up, using public transport, rideshare or even sleeping over at the party,” she said.

“There’s no excuse for drinking and driving or getting a ride with someone who’s over the limit - remember if you’re on your P plates you must legally have zero blood alcohol content. Be aware you could still be over that limit the day after a big night of drinking.

“Schoolies also need to make sure they’re staying alert as pedestrians as well. Everyone deserves to enjoy the celebrations but we want to make sure everyone gets home safely.”

document-paper
RACQ's Young Drivers Survey
Read our annual survey packed full of insights and data about Queensland's young drivers.

Related topics

  • The information in this article has been prepared for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal advice or specific advice to any particular person. Any advice contained in the document is general advice, not intended as legal advice or professional advice and does not take into account any person’s particular circumstances. Before acting on anything based on this advice you should consider its appropriateness to you, having regard to your objectives and needs.

    Insurance products (excluding Travel Insurance) are issued by RACQ Insurance Limited ABN 50 009 704 152 (RACQ). Conditions, limits and exclusions apply. This is general advice only and may not be right for you. This information does not take your personal objectives, circumstances or needs into account. Read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and any applicable Supplementary PDS before making a purchase decision on this product. You can also access our Target Market Determinations on this website.

    Banking and loan products issued by Members Banking Group Limited ABN 83 087 651 054 AFSL/Australian credit licence 241195 trading as RACQ Bank. Terms, conditions, fees, charges and lending policies apply. This is general advice only and may not be right for you. This information does not take your personal objectives, circumstances or needs into account. Read the disclosure documents for your selected product or service, including the Financial Services Guide and the Terms and Conditions, and consider if appropriate for you before deciding.

    Except for RACQ Bank, any RACQ entity referred to on this page is not an authorised deposit-taking institution for the purposes of the Banking Act 1959 (Cth). That entity’s obligations do not represent deposits or other liabilities of RACQ Bank. RACQ Bank does not guarantee or otherwise provide assurance in respect of the obligations of that entity, unless noted otherwise.

    RACQ Operations Pty Ltd (ABN 80 009 663 414 AR 000234978) and Members Travel Group Pty Ltd (ABN 45 144 538 803 AR 000432492) are acting as an Authorised Representative of the issuer of the insurance, Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd. (ABN 80 000 438 291 AFSL 246 548). Any advice set out above is general in nature only, and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before purchasing any travel products, please consider the RACQ Travel Insurance Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and the Target Market Determinations (TMDs) that apply to these products. Whilst the PDS outlines the Terms and Conditions of these products, the TMDs outline the intended class of customers that comprise the target market for these travel products. This will allow you to consider which products best suit your objectives, financial situation and needs and consider the products appropriateness to your personal circumstances. TMDs also outline matters involving the distribution and the review of these products. The PDS, Supplementary PDS and TMDs for each travel product can be found here.