According to Direct Line, whilst December remains the most popular month for roadside testing, there is also a clear peak in June as police target drink drivers in summer months. The most recent figures show that in June 2013, 108,592 tests were carried out by police in England and Wales compared to an annual average of just 56,969.

Earlier this week the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) announced that it has kicked off its annual summer drink & drug driving campaign, which runs throughout the month of June and will see the police on heightened alert to spot anyone driving under the influence of drink or drugs. This year also marks the first time that new drug-testing kits are being used to detect cannabis and cocaine.

Direct Line added that roadside breath testing also varies significantly by location, with motorists in some police force areas up to 16 times more likely to be tested than drivers elsewhere. North Wales leads the way, with 62 motorists in every 1,000 tested. In contrast, drivers in Avon and Somerset are the least likely to be pulled over, with just four in every 1,000 tested. Across England and Wales as a whole, 12 in every 1,000 drivers are tested at the roadside. 

Gus Park, director of motor at Direct Line, said: "From barbecues to all day sporting fixtures, daytime drinking is a part of the British summer.  But you can have a drink and have some fun without getting behind the wheel afterwards.  Some summer drinks are easy to consume but difficult to measure.  If you're going to be doing something where the drinks are flowing, the best approach is to plan on getting home afterwards without having to drive."