Confused.com unveils the apathy towards drink driving in secret camera campaign

Only eight people refused to help and told the actor that he shouldn’t be driving, with one keeping the man’s key and calling the police.

Sharon Flaherty, head of content and PR at Confused.com, said: “Over the festive period, thousands of people will threaten the safety of others by making the decision to drive whilst under the influence of alcohol.

“Our video highlights just how many people are willing to permit drink driving, or turn a blind eye to it. The video is a hopefully shocking way to remind people that drink driving kills and that in many cases, it can be stopped. By preventing friends and family from driving under the influence of alcohol, you could save a life.”

Figures from the Association of Chief Police Officers found that in 2011, more than 7,000 people were arrested during a month-long Christmas crackdown on drink driving.

Julie Townsend, deputy chief executive at the road safety charity Brake, said: “It is shocking to hear of people willingly helping a ‘drunk’ driver into his car. Drink driving is still one of the biggest killers on our roads, with one in seven UK road deaths resulting from crashes where a driver was over the limit. We can all play a role in preventing needless tragedies this Christmas by standing up to drink driving. We’re calling on drivers to stay off the alcohol completely if driving, and advising everyone to plan ahead to make sure they can get home safely from festivities. And if someone around you is thinking of drinking and driving, speak out: it could save their life or someone else’s.”