Drink driving - 60 per cent increase in the proportion of positive and refused breath tests in the last decade

• The proportion of positive or refused breath tests is up 60 percent in 10 years
• The number of drivers stopped for drink driving rose 11 per cent in England and Wales in 2023 v 2022 (latest data available), but overall the number of tests administered has fallen half (49 per cent in ten years)   
• South Wales, Durham and North Wales administered the most breath tests per 1,000 residents
• Dyfed-Powys, South Wales and Norfolk caught the most offenders per 1,000 residents

The proportion of drivers in England and Wales found to be over the limit or refusing to test when stopped by the police increased by 60 per cent between 2014 and 2023, according to analysis of the latest drink driving data by Direct Line Motor Insurance¹. In 2014 just one in ten (10 per cent) of those stopped, failed their breath test or refused to take one. By 2023 the proportion had risen to over a sixth (16 per cent).

Data shows police forces conducted almost half (49 per cent) fewer breath tests in 2023 than in 2014 (240,332 v 470,954), this is despite an 11 per cent rise in the number of tests administered between 2022 and 2023.

In 2023, police forces in South Wales, Durham and North Wales conducted the most breath tests per 1,000 population². South Wales police also stopped more drivers overall than any other police force, with over 20,000 (20,905) asked to take a breath test.

Table one: Locations most breath tests were administrated in England and Wales, per 1,000 population in 2023

Source: Direct Line Motor Insurance 2025

Table two: Locations the fewest breath tests were administrated, per 1,000 population in England and Wales in 2023

Source: Direct Line Motor Insurance 2025

Of those drivers stopped in 2023, 44,861 were found to be over the limit or refused to take a test, 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, or refusing to test, than any other region.

The drink drive limit in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is 35 micrograms of alcohol, while in Scotland it is 22 micrograms, per 100 millilitres of breath³. 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 year⁴.

Table three: Locations most drivers failed or refused to take a breath test in England and Wales, per 1,000 population in 2023 

Source: Direct Line Motor Insurance 2025

Table four: Locations the fewest drivers failed or refused to take a breath test in England and Wales, per 1,000 population in 2023 

Source: Direct Line Motor Insurance 2025

Whilst December sees more drink drivers caught than any other month, 5,116 in 2023, the percentage of positive tests drops to one in 10 of those stopped. Police forces conducted around double the number of tests in December 2023 compared to any other month, almost 50,000 in total.

Matt Pernet, Head of Motor Insurance at Direct Line said, “Driving under the influence puts all road users at risk. With police forces across England and Wales increasing the amount of drink 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.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

1.      Analysis of Home Office Data (2023) from Direct Line Motor Insurance. This data is the most recent available and was published in December 2024.

2.      City of London is excluded from analysis involving population rates due to the small resident population of the area relative to the transient or visiting population.

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

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

For further information please contact:

Direct Line Group:

Chelsey Wheeler

Deputy Head of News and Issues

Email: Chelsey.wheeler@directlinegroup.co.uk

PR team:

Fleishman Hillard

Email: directlinegroupmedia@fleishman.com

Phone: 07482107207

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