In addition to jumping over bonfires, swimming and barbecues, driving is the activity that, combined with alcohol, causes the most accidents every Midsummer.

“While a person puts their own life at risk when jumping over a bonfire or swimming drunk, and a failed barbecue can result in property damage, people often tend to get in a car with a larger group during a party. This is how the tragic stories of several people being seriously injured or even killed on Midsummer’s Eve car journeys end up in the news,” said Rasmus Parve, Head of Seesam’s Claims Department.

According to the insurer, the likelihood of being involved in an accident increases significantly over the Midsummer weekend because people are on the move more than usual, and not all road users may follow the agreed rules in the same way. Therefore, it is sensible to remain especially vigilant and cautious in traffic during this holiday, and any cars driven in a suspicious manner should be reported to the police immediately.

“Driving a car when drunk is reprehensible and also excludes indemnification. In the context of claims handling, it’s quite clear that these situations will be resolved unequivocally and the client will have to repair the vehicle within their own means. In a motor insurance case, the injured party will be indemnified the damage, but the drunk driver who caused the accident will have to repay the insurance company later,” Parve explained the risks of drinking and driving.

Every year 10-15 claimants don’t get any insurance indemnification from Seesam because alcohol is involved in the comprehensive insurance event. When human lives and injuries are included in the equation, any damage to vehicles is naturally negligible, but a person who drinks alcohol must understand that alcohol does not absolve them from liability.

In the light of the upcoming Midsummer, it is not advisable to get behind the wheel drunk or hung over, and in terms of safety, it’s a good idea to choose a sober driver for the group who will drive, be responsible and be able to call for help if needed.

“Many people feel uncomfortable when they have to restrict what a friend is doing, but in reality, in this situation, you have to push away the shame and discomfort and see yourself more as a hero who could be saving many lives. There’s nothing weird about making a friend behave: the next morning, your friend will instead be grateful and your friendship will last for years to come,” Parve encouraged.

Although a person may not realise it, as little as 0.2 mg/g of alcohol in the bloodstream affects a driver’s driving skills. At the level of 0.5 mg/g, a driver is three times more likely to be involved in an accident than a sober driver, and five times more likely to be involved in a fatal accident.

For your own sake and the health and lives of others: if you drink, don’t drive!