Skip advert
Advertisement

A fifth of drink-driving arrests are made the morning after

Data shows a third of all breath tests and nearly 18 per cent of drink-driving convictions are for drivers stopped between 7am and 1pm

Breathalyser test

Almost a fifth of all drink-driving arrests are made the morning after, according to new data.

Government figures show that 17.8 per cent of drink-driving convictions and a third of all breath tests are for drivers who are stopped by police between the hours of 7am and 1pm.

• Drink-drive fatalities hit eight-year high

Advertisement - Article continues below

The news comes in the run-up to the police's annual summer drink-drive crackdown. In June 2017 (the latest year for which summer figures are available), police in England and Wales breathalysed 36,041 motorists – around 50 per cent more than the monthly average of 23,840. Of these, 3,275 tested positive.

Drivers in Merseyside were the most likely to be stopped in June 2017, with police there conducting 3,010 roadside breath tests. Meanwhile, 2,532 were carried out in Hampshire, 2,265 in Thames Valley, 2,178 in South Wales and 1,952 in North Wales.

Figures from the Department of Transport show that the number of people killed in road traffic collisions where the driver was over the legal alcohol limit rose from 200 in 2015 to 290 in 2017 – an increase of 45 per cent.

Hunter Abbott, managing director of breathalyser firm AlcoSense Laboratories, commented: “The police always focus on June as, statistically, it’s a drink drive hotspot.

“With warmer weather, sporting events and barbeques, June is a month when motorists are more likely to unintentionally drink drive the morning after socialising – posing a risk to themselves and other road users.”

Click here to read about the Volvo models that watch for drunk drivers with in-car cameras...

Skip advert
Advertisement

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Range Rover Sport SV gets massive £35k price drop as it enters series-production
Range Rover Sport SV Black - front

Range Rover Sport SV gets massive £35k price drop as it enters series-production

There’s also a new SV Black trim, and a Range Rover Sport Stealth Package for non SVs
News
1 Jul 2025
Arrivederci Roma: new Ferrari Amalfi slots in as brand’s latest entry-level model
Ferrari Amalfi - front static

Arrivederci Roma: new Ferrari Amalfi slots in as brand’s latest entry-level model

A slick new look and more power are the headlines for Ferrari’s new baby, but it’s probably some simple new buttons that will get customers’ attention
News
1 Jul 2025
Geely is coming to the UK, and its assault will start with EX5 SUV
Geely EX5 - front

Geely is coming to the UK, and its assault will start with EX5 SUV

Geely has looked to Lotus to ensure it's new electric SUV lives up to our driving expectations
News
2 Jul 2025