With tonight (18 December) expected to be the busiest night for Christmas parties, new research from the THINK! Campaign finds that an estimated 740 reported drink drive accidents took place in mornings in 2013, with around 5,500 people failing breath tests between 6am and midday every year.

The new figures show that 58% of people who have four or more drinks on a night out sometimes take the risk and drive the following morning, with only a third (33%) aware that they could still be over the limit.

The research also found that a third (33%) of people surveyed mistakenly think that drinking water would make them safer to drive, along with sleeping (28%) and eating a large meal (21%).

The most common reason for getting behind the wheel after a heavy night of drinking was to get to work (37%).

Suzette Davenport, National Police Chiefs’ Council lead, said: “The majority of drivers are aware that driving whilst impaired by drink or drugs is not worth the risk, but some do not think about how they will get home or to work the morning after a night out.

“Thinking ahead about getting home or to work safely the following morning is crucial and potentially if you are driving the morning after drinking you may need alternative travel arrangements. Driving under the influence is never worth the risk to yourself, to your future and to those you could injure or kill.

“On average it takes around one hour for the body to break down one unit of alcohol, meaning it could take as long as 12 hours for the alcohol from four pints of higher strength beer (or four large glasses of wine) to leave your system.