Women chosen as designated drivers

20/12/11

By Gemma Roberts

Female drivers may have to miss out on a festive tipple or two this Christmas as they are most likely to be chosen as the designated driver, a survey shows.

An AA/Populus survey of 17,000 people asked couples who was more likely to be nominated to drive home after a night involving alcohol.

It shows that women were the most likely choice, with 70 per cent voting for this option.

While 85 per cent of the female drivers questioned said they expected to get behind the wheel.

Women in the North East are the most likely to become designated drivers with 73 per cent of the vote, while those in London only achieved 67 per cent.

AA president Edmund King said: "Our poll clearly shows that it is the woman in the driving seat after a night out. This is somewhat ironic because when the opportunity to drink is not on offer, it is normally the male who races to get behind the wheel.

"We have to ask whether this means that men set out to be designated drivers, and end up being 'rescued' by their wives and girlfriends when they succumb to temptation or peer pressure to drink. At this time of year, we should salute our dedicated designated drivers of either sex."