Recent years have seen that Brits abroad are getting into trouble whilst on holiday abroad whilst under the influence of alcohol. This trend is apparent in both the winter and the summer months and highlights a serious issue with the misunderstanding of the dangers of over-consumption of alcohol in a foreign environment. It is also reflective of the current ‘binge-drink’ attitude to alcohol which is permeating British culture. Whilst abroad the alcohol is often cheap and plentiful, leading to heavy drinking sessions.
Just last Thursday reports circulated the media of the death of a 26 man in the French Alps. He was thought to have become lost whilst drunk when he was trying to make his way between two bars on a night out. This current tragedy follows a series of deaths of Britons in the Alps, and a large amount of holiday accidents occurring whilst drunk. Other recent alcohol related holiday accidents include the death of a holiday rep who had a skiing accident involved in a snow cannon and a teenager who became trapped under a swimming pool cover whilst drunk and drowned. In 2009 a campaign was initiated in the French Alps aiming to raise the awareness of the dangers of drinking too much at high altitudes in freezing temperatures.
The summer months are no different. In the summer months, many countries see a surge of British tourists coming to their shores and overindulging in alcohol. Spain and Greece report the highest figures for holiday accidents and trouble with British holidaymakers. Reports approximate that 10 Britons per day end up in hospital following holiday accidents and that the amount of holiday deaths has increased by 4 per cent. 6, 237 British nationals died whilst on holiday last year, the year running up to the summer of 2012. Figures for the 2012/2013 year have not yet been released. The amount of individuals who end up under arrest due to their holiday antics is also extremely high. Overall one of the most lethal holiday accidents is balcony falls.
Overall then, yes Brits are in danger when drinking abroad, but only if they overindulge and do not understand the dangers of the country they are in. It is extremely important that Britons understand that being on holiday does not mean that they act the same as they would in the temperatures and environment they are well acquainted with at home. It is equally important that Britons understand that being abroad also is not licence to engage in behaviours which they would not engage in at home – dangers from drugs, alcohol and imprisonment are all very real and still exist abroad.