People attending pubs to watch World Cup matches are being urged not to take lifts home from anyone who has been drinking alcohol.

A previous poll by the AA (Automobile Association) of almost 15,000 people revealed that 13% had travelled in a car with someone they knew was over the drink drive limit in the previous 12 months. Among young males aged between 17 and 24, this figure rose to 30%.

The county with the highest number of respondents who admitted to getting into a car with someone over the legal limit was Wicklow (22%), followed by Louth (19%) and Kilkenny (17%).

"Many college students are now on their summer hiatus and with the World Cup up and running there's already a bit of festival atmosphere especially with some of the nice evenings we've been having.

"It's lovely to be able to sit out in a beer garden and feel relaxed especially if you haven't got work or college the next day but please give a bit of thought to how you'll get home at the end of the night whether it's a taxi, public transport or a designated driver," commented Conor Faughnan, AA Ireland's director of consumer affairs.

Meanwhile, the AA is also appealing to drivers to be particularly careful when driving through residential areas, ‘as children gripped by World Cup ever are more likely to be out having a kick about'.

People who have consumed alcohol are also being reminded that they may be over the limit or severely hungover the next day.

"The range of symptoms that arise from a hangover such as headaches, light headedness, nausea, thirst, lethargy and a decreased attention span can significantly impair your ability to drive and can make you potentially as dangerous as an intoxicated driver," Mr Faughnan said.

The current drink drive limit is 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood for drivers with a full licence and 20mg per 100ml for people with a learner permit, newly qualified drivers and professional drivers.