IT’S that time of year again when everyone’s starting to get into the Christmas spirit.

But too many glasses of spirit at the office party for employees who drive home or get behind the wheel the next day when still suffering the after affects could lead to a gloomy New Year. So it’s time for heroes on zero – led from the top.

A survey conducted just before Christmas last year by the RAC revealed one in five company car drivers admitted to getting behind the wheel despite thinking they could be over the drink-drive limit the morning after a Christmas party – more than double that of private vehicle owners.

And, according to new information from the road safety charity Brake, some drivers are still not getting the message about the dangers, especially men in their 20s who are still the most prolific offenders.

More than one in 10 male drivers aged 20-29 involved in crashes are over the legal drink-drive limit.

The charity says that on average almost 26 people are killed or seriously injured in drink-drive crashes every week in Great Britain.

That means that between now and December 25 another 66 people could end up opening presents in hospital beds, or simply not at all, after being involved in a drink-drive crash.

That’s why Brake is calling for a zero-tolerance approach to alcohol and driving.

Gary Rae, director of communications and campaigns for Brake said: “Drink and drug-driving remains one of the biggest causes of devastating road crashes; often young and inexperienced drivers and passengers are involved and frequently they are the tragic victims. We must continue to send a clear message to all drivers, but especially young men, that drinking and driving is a lethal cocktail.

“It’s shocking to see how many crashes, many involving deaths and serious injuries, have involved men in their 20s. We are calling on the UK government to introduce a zero-tolerance drink drive limit.”

Certainly the idea of zero tolerance towards driving a company vehicle within hours a Christmas office party is a view that’s shared by Manchester-based fleet risk management experts 3Sixty Fleet.

Andrew Drewary, the company’s consultant accident analyst, says: “The Christmas office party is always one of the main events for the party calendar every year. Unfortunately, one of the downsides of such an event is the over indulgence of alcohol by too many people who do not seem to be worried about the possible catastrophic consequences. It is not always the immediate actions of getting behind the wheel when leaving the office party that is the main issue but the morning after.

“The recent figures released by Brake detailing the appalling drink-drive statistics clearly show that younger drivers are more dismissive about this issue and are prepared to take the risk. However, it is clear that a large number of drivers across all ages get behind the wheel the morning after who are ‘over the limit’ and not legally entitled to drive.

“There are so many people who think that after a few hours’ sleep they are fit to drive and can be ‘over the limit’ well into the following afternoon.

“Therefore company car drivers and their employers have to think seriously at this time of year. The only way to deal with the office Christmas party is to have a zero-tolerance towards driving a company vehicle within 24 hours after the party has finished.

“This will allow for a proper recovery period and ensure that there is no alcohol remaining in the body.

“Employers need to make this company policy and it has to be led from the top down.”