Research On Drink Driving Offences In The UK

On this page, you can find the results and details of our reseach on drunk driving offences in the UK.

You can also find the results and details of our research into drunk driving arrests over the St Patrick’s Day period over the years.

How We Conducted Our Research Into Drink Driving Offences

We conducted a series of Freedom Of Information (FOI) requests, lodging them with every police force in the country.

Our aim behind this research is to identify any trends or issues relating to drunk driving in the UK.

In our request, we asked for the number of drunk driving offences recorded between September 2022 and September 2023.

We also asked for the occupations, if known, of the offenders to ascertain whether there is a connection.

We’ve also conducted some specific research into drink driving arrests around St Patrick’s Day, which is a popular time of the year for drinking and celebrating.

Click here to jump to our Research into St. Patrick’s Day Drink/Drug Driving Arrests

The Results Of Our Research Into Drunk Driving

Below, you can find the results of our research, broken down by geographic area. If you don’t see your area, please check back. We update this page continuously as we receive new data.

Warwickshire

Construction workers are the most likely to commit a drink driving offence in Warwickshire.

Out of 458 charges made by Warwickshire Police from September 2022 to September 2023, 17% worked in the construction industry.

Factory workers were the second most likely to be charged with drink driving, making up 12% of all charges. 

Following behind were caterers, engineers (both 6%) and unemployed workers (5%). 

The age group most likely to drink drive was found to be 31 to 40 year-olds, who accounted for almost a third of charges. 

Additionally, 21 to 30 year-olds accounted for over a quarter of charges.

In contrast, over 70 year-olds were the least likely to offend, as were 61 to 70 year-olds.

Cambridgeshire

New data has found that unemployed people and students are the most likely to commit drink driving crimes in Cambridgeshire.

Unemployed people made up around 35% of charges made by Cambridgeshire Constabulary in the last year, whilst students accounted for over a fifth of charges. 

Construction industry workers were also found to be some of the biggest offenders (5%), as were tradesmen, retail staff and factory workers (all around 2%). 

Men were found more likely to to commit a drink driving offence, with males making up over four-fifths of charges between September 2022 to September 2023.

The data also indicated that those aged between 25 to 34 years-old were the most likely to be charged for drink-driving.

In contrast, those aged 65 and over were the least likely to offend. 

Bedfordshire

One person was arrested every day for drink driving in Bedfordshire last year.

July was the worst month for drink-driving, with Bedfordshire Police charging more than a tenth of offenders that were recorded from September 2022 to August 2023.

Other months with high rates of drink-driving offences included October, November and April (all between 9 to 10%). 

The least drink-driving incidents occurred during February and March (both 7%). 

Men were found more likely to commit a drink-driving offence, accounting for almost 87% of offenders that were charged by Bedfordshire Police. 

The worst offenders for drink-driving, however, were 31 year-old men. 

Avon and Somerset

Avon and Somerset Police charged three people with drink driving offences every day last year.

Unemployed people were found to be the worst offenders, accounting for almost a fifth of all incidents from September 2022 to September 2023.

Builders were the second worst offenders (4%), followed by students (2.8%), schoolboys (2.7%), warehouse workers (2.6%) and carpenters (2%).

Further data obtained from Avon and Somerset Police found that men were more likely to drink and drive, with males making up 82% of charged offenders. 

Additionally, people aged between 33 to 38 years-old were the most likely to be charged for drink driving offences.

In contrast, the figures indicated that elderly drivers aged between 72 to 82 years-old were the least likely to offend.

Dorset

Construction workers are the worst offenders for drink-driving in Dorset.

Those who work in the construction industry made up 15% of charges made by Dorset Police between September 2022 to September 2023

Unemployed people were the second worst offenders for drinking-driving (9%), followed by tradesmen (5%), transport workers (5%) and social workers (4%). 

Further data obtained from Dorset Police suggested that men were more likely to drink and drive, with males accounting for almost four-fifths of arrests. 

Additionally, people in their 30s made up over a quarter of arrests relating to drink-driving incidents, making them the age group most likely to be charged for drink-driving. 

In contrast, those in their 80s were the least likely to offend. Just one person was arrested for drink-driving in this age group.

Nottinghamshire

Construction industry workers are the worst offenders for drink driving in Nottinghamshire.

Out of 906 drink driving offences that occurred from September 2022 to September 2023, construction industry workers made up 15% of incidents. 

Factory workers and those employed in engineering followed behind, accounting for 7% and 5% of drinking driving offences, respectively. 

Unemployed people, catering staff and medical employees were also found to be some of the worst offenders.

A Freedom of Information request to Nottinghamshire Police further identified that male drivers were more likely to drive whilst over the legal limit than females, with male offenders accounting for 75% of incidents. 

Drivers aged 17 to 30-year-olds were found to be the worst age group for drink-driving offences, closely followed by 31 to 40-year-olds.

People aged 61 to 75-years-old were the least likely to drive over the legal alcohol limit.

West Midlands

Four people are charged every day for drink-driving in the West Midlands.

Figures obtained from West Midlands Police showed that 1,454 people were charged in total between September 2022 to September 2023.

Unemployed people were found to be the most likely to commit a drink-driving offence, accounting for almost a third of charges made by West Midlands Police. 

Additionally, warehouse workers were found more likely to drink-drive than any other occupation. 

A full breakdown of the occupations most likely to drink-drive can be found below:

• Warehouse workers – 43 charges
• Builders – 30 charges
• Construction workers – 29 charges
• Students – 26 charges
• Drivers – 26 charges

Further data from West Midlands Police indicated that men were the worst offenders for drink-driving, with men making up 84% of charges. 

People in their thirties were charged for drink-driving more than any other age range, with 31 year-olds found to be the worst offenders. 

In contrast, people in their seventies were the least likely to offend, closely followed by teenagers. 

Merseyside 

Two people were charged every day for drink driving last year in Merseyside.

Amongst those charged between September 2022 to September 2023 included a government employee, a child carer, a doctor, a nurse and a police service employee.

The data was obtained from Merseyside Police via a Freedom of Information request.

Men were found more likely to commit a drink driving offence, accounting for more than three-quarters of charges in the last year.

The most charges were made against people aged 26 to 35 years-old, who made up almost a third of all charges. 

Following behind were 36 to 45 year-olds (28%) and 46 to 55 year-olds (18%).

The least likely to offend was found to be people aged between 76 to 85 years-old, making up less than 1% of all charges. 

West Yorkshire

Unemployed people are the most likely to commit a drink driving offence in West Yorkshire.

Out of 2,000 offenders recorded by West Yorkshire Police from September 2022 to September 2023, almost 25% were unemployed.

Builders and warehouse workers were the occupations that were found most likely to drive whilst drinking, with each occupation accounting for 3% of drink driving offences.

Drivers who had retired from their job were the next most likely to offend (2%).

The least likely occupations to commit a drink driving offence included hotel receptionists, clerks and quantity surveyors. 

Further data obtained by LegalExpert.co.uk found that men were the biggest offenders for drink driving offences, accounting for 80% of arrests made by West Yorkshire Police.

Additionally, 33 year-olds were found to be the biggest offenders, accounting for 4% of all perpetrators. 

Those aged 73, 83 and 78 were the age groups least likely to offend.

Devon and Cornwall

Builders are more likely to drive over the drinking limit than any other occupation in Devon and Cornwall.

Over 3% of people charged for drink-driving were builders between September 2022 to September 2023. 

Other occupations more likely to be charged for drink-driving included chefs, care assistants, catering managers, full time students and teachers (all around 2%).

In contrast, unemployed people represented 18% of charges made in the same period, while self-employed people accounted for 6%. 

South Wales

Around two people are arrested every day for drink driving offences in South Wales.

Data obtained from South Wales Police found that unemployed people were the worst offenders for drink driving between September 2022 to September 2023.

Out of 843 arrests, unemployed people accounted for almost a quarter of charges.

In contrast, according to arrest rates, the worst occupations for drink driving were as follows:

• Bar staff – 2%
• Mechanic – 2%
• Shop employee –  2%
• Administrative assistant – 1.5%
• Care assistant – 1.5%
• Carpenter – 1.5%
• Full time student – 1.5%

Furthermore, retired people accounted for 3% of drink-driving arrests.

The figures also indicated that men were more likely to commit a drink driving offence than women, with men making up over three-quarters of arrests.

The worst age group for drink driving was found to be 25 to 34 year-olds, who represented a third of arrests.

West Mercia

West Mercia Police made more drink driving arrests in December than any other month in the last year.

A Freedom of Information request to the force revealed that around 64 arrests were made each month for drink driving offences between September 2022 to September 2023. 

December had the highest rate of arrest, when a tenth of arrests occurred. 

The least amount of arrests occurred in February, June and October, all accounting for 8% of arrests.

Further data obtained from West Mercia Police found that construction industry workers were more likely to commit a drink driving offence than any other occupation.

Around 14% of arrests were made against construction workers.

Factory workers accounted for almost a tenth of arrests, whilst unemployed people made up 7% of arrests. 

In addition, men were more likely to drink and drive than women, with men representing 83% of charges.

The age group most likely to offend was 31 to 40 year-olds, who accounted for 33% of charges.

Research into St. Patrick’s Day Drink/Drug Driving Arrests

How We Conducted Our Research Into St. Patrick’s Day Drink/Drug Driving Arrests

We conducted a series of Freedom Of Information (FOI) requests, lodging them with the ten biggest police forces in the UK.

Our aim behind this research is to identify any trends or issues relating to drink driving over the St. Patrick’s Day period.

In our request we asked for the number of drink driving arrests recorded between March 16th and March 19th in the last five years.

Responses provided figures for the years between 2019 and 2023.

We also asked for the number of drink driving arrests made by each force over the course of the whole year between 2019-2023 for context.

The Results Of Our Research

Below, you can find the results of our research, broken down by geographic area. If you don’t see your area, please check back. We update this page continuously as we receive new data.

West Midlands

The number of drivers arrested for drink or drug driving in the West Midlands over the St Patrick’s Day period has tripled since lockdown years. 

Last year, Police reported the highest number of drink/drug driving arrests in the past five years in the region between the 16th – 18th March.

Research by Legal Expert found that a total of 29 drink/drug driving arrests were made over the St. Patrick’s Day period in the past two years alone across the West Midlands.

The reasons for the arrests were either, ‘Driving in charge – unfit through drink/drugs’ or ‘Driving – unfit through drink/drugs,’ according to West Midlands Police. 

The highest drink/drug driving arrest figures in the West Midlands over the past five years were recorded last year, 2023 where a total of 17 arrests were made between the 16th-18th March.

12 were made the year before in 2022. During lockdown years, a total of 10 arrests were recorded, 7 in 2020 and just 3 in 2021.

Prior to that, Police made 12 arrests over the St Patrick’s Day period in 2019.

West Yorkshire

The number of drivers arrested for drink driving in West Yorkshire over the St Patrick’s Day period has been rising since lockdown. 

Last year, Police reported 21 drink driving arrests between the 16th-18th March, and 20 the year before. 

Figures rose by 122% between 2021, the height of the coronavirus pandemic and 2022, as the nation emerged from lockdowns, and continued to rise last year, although at a much slower rate.

The highest drink/drug driving arrest figures in West Yorkshire over the past six years were recorded in 2019, where a total of 32 arrests were made between 16th-18th March, according to police. 

Prior to this, 23 were made in 2018.

24 arrests were made in 2020, followed by just 9 in 2021 during the height of the Coronavirus pandemic. 

In 2022, figures began to resemble previous years again with 20 recorded in 2022 and 21 arrests made last year, 2023.

Nottinghamshire

The number of arrests for drink driving in Nottinghamshire over the St Patrick’s Day period has risen by 67% since lockdown years.

Last year, Police reported some of the highest number of drink driving arrests in the past six years in the region between the 16th – 18th March.

A total of 30 drink driving arrests were made over the St. Patrick’s Day period in the past two years alone across Nottinghamshire.

The highest drink driving arrest figures in Nottinghamshire over the past six years were recorded in 2019, where a total of 18 arrests were made between the 16th-18th March.

Half the amount of arrests were made the year before in 2018. During lockdown years, a total of 18 arrests were recorded, 7 in 2020 and 11 in 2021.

Figures then began to rise each subsequent year with 13 in 2022 and a further 17 made last year, 2023.

South Yorkshire

The number of arrests for drink/drug driving in South Yorkshire over the St Patrick’s Day period has risen by 58% since lockdown years.

Police reported the highest number of drink/drug driving arrests in the past six years in the region between the 16th – 18th March, 2019.

After figures plummeted during lockdowns, our research shows numbers are rising once again.

We found a total of 30 drink/drug driving arrests were made over the St. Patrick’s Day period in the past two years alone across South Yorkshire.

The highest drink/drug driving arrest figures in the region over the past six years were recorded in 2019, where a staggering total of 22 arrests were made between 16th-18th March.

Just 9 were made the year before in 2018. During lockdown years, a total of 19 arrests were recorded, 8 in 2020 and 11 in 2021. 

Figures then began to rise each subsequent year with 13 in 2022 and a further 17 made last year, 2023.

Arrests for drink-driving include; driving – excess alcohol, driving in charge – excess alcohol and driving – failing to provide a breath test, according to South Yorkshire Police.

Other reasons for drink/drug driving arrests include; driving and causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs, driving, in charge unfit through drink/drugs and driving, unfit through drink/drugs.

Merseyside

The number of arrests for drink driving in Merseyside over the St Patrick’s Day period has risen by 78% since lockdown years.

Last year, Police reported some of the highest number of drink-driving arrests in the past six years in the region between the 16th – 18th March.

A total of 16 drink driving arrests were made over the St. Patrick’s Day period in the past two years alone across Merseyside.

The highest drink driving arrest figures in the county over the past six years were recorded in 2019, where a total of 14 arrests were made between the 16th-18th March.

The year before, 10 arrests were made in 2018. During lockdown years, a total of 9 arrests were recorded, 4 in 2020 and 5 in 2021. 

Figures plateaued in 2022, with another 5 arrests made. In 2023 however, arrest numbers more than doubled, with 11 being made last year over the same period.

Get Help With Claiming Compensation For Drunk Driving Accidents

If you’ve been involved in a car accident with a drunk driver, then you could claim compensation for any injuries and damage to your property.

We’ve compiled a comprehensive guide on drunk driving accident compensation claims, which you can view here.

You can also contact us for free legal advice by calling us on the number at the top of this page.