Drivers are being warned their chances of having to take a breathalyser test are now double, in the usual December crackdown on drink-driving.

Drivers should self-test with a personal breathalyser to ensure they are clear of any alcohol before getting behind the wheel

Last year saw police in England and Wales stop 37,067 motorists on suspicion of drink-driving in December – more than twice the average for other months of 16,977. A total of 3,840 drivers tested positive (or refused to provide a sample) last December, a failure rate of more than 10%.

This year has already seen forces ramp up campaigns early amid the World Cup and the start of the festive season.

But analysis of Home Office data by breathalyser firm AlcoSense shows there were huge variations around the country. In Durham, more than 2,500 motorists were tested last December, whereas in Lincolnshire it was just 23.

There were also big discrepancies in the percentage of motorists failing their breath test.

In Cleveland, the area with the third highest number of tests (1,878), the failure rate was just 3%.

However, in West Yorkshire, where 523 tests were conducted, a worrying 29% were over the limit.

Drivers are also being warned about the dangers of ‘morning-after’ drinking. One in five drink-drive convictions are in the morning.

“Watching an evening World Cup game, whether at home with family or down the pub, increases the likelihood of driving the next morning with alcohol still in your system,” said Hunter Abbott, managing director of AlcoSense.

“If you drink four pints of medium-strong beer or four large glasses of wine whilst enjoying the football, it could take as long as 14 hours for the alcohol to clear your system.”

Government figures estimate that 6,480 people are killed or injured in drink-drive accidents, with drunk drivers accounting for 15% of road deaths every year.

Drivers don’t need to be over or even near the drink-drive limit to put themselves and other road users in danger.

Even with just 10mg per 100mL of alcohol in your blood (one eighth of the legal limit in England and Wales) you are 37% more likely to be involved in a fatal accident than when completely sober, research shows.

Hunter Abbottc continued: “The rule is simple. If you’ve been drinking, don’t drive and if you’re driving, don’t drink. If in any doubt, self-test with a personal breathalyser to ensure you’re clear of alcohol before getting behind the wheel.”