A survey of 1,000 Facebook users conducted by the RAC Foundation has shown that almost 20 per cent of Brits aged between 18 and 24 got into cars with intoxicated motorists over Christmas and new year.

Meanwhile, 12 per cent of young people aged 13 to 17 said they had done the same, while eight per cent of 25 to 49-year-olds agreed.

The RAC Foundation is now calling for greater education of young people about the perils of being a passenger in a car with a drink driver, which could also impact upon the motorist's car insurance premiums should an incident occur.

Sheila Rainger, acting director of the RAC Foundation, said: "New thinking is needed, targeting passengers as well as drivers, to ensure that drink-driving remains socially unacceptable and to ensure that passengers, especially younger women, have the confidence to turn down what could be their last lift."

The findings showed that young females were the most likely to get in a car with a drunk driver, with 85 per cent of the females who said they would get into a vehicle with an intoxicated motorist being under 25.

In response, the motoring body has suggested that a three-point plan is put into place.

This would involve having more traffic police, combining random and targeted breath testing and ensuring that the courts have an extensive range of penal sanctions that combine punishment with education and advice.

Recently, the Association of Chief Police Officers reported a drop in drink drivers of almost a fifth over the festive period.