Three out of five drivers have been caught breaking a major driving law across the UK with urgent calls for stronger deterrents to be put in place.
A shocking report has revealed that drink driving cases have skyrocketed over the years as more drivers risk their own safety as well as other road users.
Research found that the number of drivers over the legal alcohol limit or refusing to test increased by 60 per cent between 2014 and 2023, rising from 240,332 to 470,954.
In 2023, police forces in South Wales, Durham and North Wales conducted the most tests per 1,000 people. South Wales police also stopped more drivers overall than any other police force, with over 20,000 motorists being asked to take a breath test.
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December sees the most cases of drink driving than any other month
PA
According to the latest data from Direct Line, out of all the drivers stopped in 2023, 44,861 were found to be over the legal limit or refused to take a test, representing a three per cent increase over the previous year.
Police forces in Dyfed-Powys, South Wales, and Norfolk found more people per 1,000 residents in their area over the legal drinking limit than any other region.
The drink drive limit in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, and just 22 micrograms in Scotland.
Drivers caught breaking the rules, however, can be hit with a variety of penalties. This includes six months’ imprisonment, an unlimited fine, a £2,500 penalty or even a driving ban for at least 12 months.
The data revealed how December continues to see more drink drivingcases than any other monthwith 5,116recorded in 2023.
To help combat the high figures during the festive period, police forces launched Operation Limit which looked to increase enforcement and stop tests on UK roads. It runs between December 1 to January 1 every year.
According to Merseyside Police, last year 508 people were arrested including 110 drivers for alcohol-related offences and 360 for drug driving-related offences.
Stuart McIver, Roads Policing Chief Inspector at Merseyside Police, said: "Although I’m obviously pleased with the hard work of officers across the force to once again make sure that we’re being out there testing as many people as possible across December, I feel frustrated that, clearly, some people still aren’t getting the message. Driving under the influence – whether that’s drugs or alcohol – is absolutely not acceptable."
South Wales Police officers conducted 4,923 drink driving tests last year, roughly 56 per cent more than in 2023. The testing found 173 drivers over the legal limit.
Matt Pernet, head of motor insurance and Direct Line explained that driving under the influence "puts all road users at risk".
He shared: "With police forces across England and Wales increasing the amount of drunk driving testing it means that motorists breaking the law are finding it harder to go undetected.
"Our continued mission is to raise awareness of the dangers of drink driving, so drivers need to remember if they’re wanting to have a drink, they should be finding an alternative way to get home, other than driving."
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Motorists can be given a £2,500 penalty for drink-drivingGETTYSussex Police officers made 127 arrests for drink driving breaches with Sussex Police Head of Roads Policing, Superintendent Rachel Glenton, stating that "those who commit these offences risk punishments which include being disqualified from driving, heavy fines, and even the risk of going to prison".
She added: "These are nothing compared to the risk they pose of causing serious harm or even the death of themselves or other road users. Drink or drug driving is one of the main causes of people being killed or seriously injured on our roads."
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