·        Police conducted 58 per cent fewer breath tests in 2022 (latest data available) than in 2012

·        Over the same period the proportion of positive or refused breath tests increased by 55 per cent

·        Cambridgeshire and Gloucestershire police caught the highest proportion of drink drivers

·        More than one in five (21 per cent) drivers breath tested in July 2022 tested positive or refused to take a breath test

 

New analysis of the latest drink driving statistics available, by Direct Line Motor insurance¹, reveals police forces in England and Wales² conducted fewer breath tests in 2022 than in 2012.

Over the same period the proportion of drivers found to be over the limit or refusing to test³ increased by over half (55 per cent).

While 551,375 breath tests were administered in 2012, just 11 per cent of drivers tested positive or refused to take a test. This is in stark contrast to 2022, when it reached 17 per cent. The number of breath tests conducted by police reduced by 58 per cent between 2012 and 2022, when under a quarter of a million drivers were stopped (229,218).

Those that refuse a breath test without a reasonable excuse can be arrested for ‘refusing to provide a sample’. This can be punishable by up to six months’ imprisonment and a driving disqualification³.

The drink drive limit in England, Wales and Northern Ireland ⁴ is 35 micrograms of alcohol, while in Scotland it is 22 micrograms, per 100 millilitres of breath. Those caught driving or attempting to drive above the legal limit, or refusing to provide breath, blood, or urine for analysis, could face six months’ imprisonment, an unlimited fine or a driving ban for at least one year⁵.

In 2022, the highest proportion of drink drivers were caught in the summer month of July, perhaps having been at summer BBQs or in pub gardens, with 21 per cent of the 18,774 breath tests taken producing positive or refused test. By contrast, December saw more than double the number of tests administered by police, but a lower proportion of motorists 11 per cent testing positive or refusing to provide a sample.

Lorraine Price, Head of Motor Insurance and Direct Line said, “It is concerning to see a rising proportion of drivers testing positive for drink driving. We’re on our continued mission to keep roads safe, raising awareness of the dangers of drink driving. Driving under the influence of alcohol doesn’t just endanger the driver themselves, it also puts their passengers and other road users at risk. Drivers need to remember that if they’re wanting to drink, they should take alternative transport home.”

Regional data:

Table 1: Fewest breath tests conducted by police forces per 1,000 population in 2022

Lincolnshire, Suffolk, and West Yorkshire police conducted the fewest breath tests in 2022, relative to their population sizes.

Source: Direct Line

Table 2: Most breath tests conducted by police forces per 1,000 population 2022

Dyfed-Powys, Cumbria and South Wales police conducted the most breath tests, relative to their population sizes.

Source: Direct Line

Table 3: Police forces with the highest proportion of drivers testing positive or refusing a test, per 1,000 population – 2022⁴

Cambridgeshire, Gloucestershire, and Dyfed-Powys police forces saw the highest levels of drink drivers and drivers refusing to test, relative to their local populations.  

Source: Direct Line 2024

ENDS

Notes to editors

1.      Analysis of Home Office Data (2022) from Direct Line motor insurance. This data is the most recent available and was published in 2024.

2.      The Metropolitan Police did not provide data for the full year of 2022 – it conducted 12,544 breath tests between June and December 2022 with an average of 19% of positive or refused breath tests.  The City of London police are excluded due to their small population size.

3.      Those caught driving or attempting to drive above the legal limit, or refusing to provide breath, blood or urine for analysis, can face six months’ imprisonment, an unlimited fine or a driving ban for at least one year.

4.      https://www.gov.uk/drink-drive-limit

5.      https://www.gov.uk/drink-driving-penalties

 

For further information please contact:

 

Direct Line Group:

Chelsey Wheeler

Deputy Head of News and Issues

Email: [email protected]

 

PR team:

Fleishman Hillard

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 07482107207

 

Direct Line

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