Unnecessary car insurance claims could result from Britons' irresponsible behaviour, according to one provider.
New Direct Line Car Insurance research has shown that binge-drinking UK adults are driving while under the influence on the way home from nights out - in order to save on taxi fares.
The dangerous practice was shown to be an influencing factor on overall road accident rates - therefore pushing up car insurance costs. Direct Line also suggested that there were marked differences in how common the drink-driving incidences were, depending on the age of the driver.
People aged between 18 and 34 years old were shown to be the most likely to drink-drive in order to save money, with eight percent saying they had done so in the past. Just three percent of those aged between 35 and 54 years old said the same, however.
Region by region, those in the north-east of England were found to be the biggest offenders (eight percent), while the east Midlands scored best (two percent).
"The willingness of people to risk drinking and driving to save on taxi fares is a frightening prospect," said Maggie Game, head of Direct Line car insurance: "It's worrying to see the number of people who would drink and drive because they feel saving a few pounds outweighs the risk to themselves and others. There is no excuse for drink driving, as a few hours of fun and a saved taxi fare could result in a lifetime of misery."
Research from the AA released last week suggested that the typical annual car insurance cost comes to around £750. There are currently around 30 million drivers on UK roads, with annual driving fatalities running at 3,200.
