'Morning after' road accidents on the rise, study shows

Car accidents involving drivers who are still recovering from the previous night's excesses are on the increase, new figures show.

There has been a 60 per cent increase in the proportion of morning after 'drink drive' accidents, according to research by AlcoSense Digital Breathalyser.

These incidents made up 18.2 per cent of all road accidents, while the total for the whole of the UK actually declined.

Drink drive accidents occurring in evenings and afternoons fell by ten per cent over the last two decades, with most of these now occurring between 05:00 and 13:00 GMT.

AlcoSense managing director Hunter Abbott explained: "People still believe however that a few hours' sleep will get rid of all of the alcohol in their system but it is surprisingly easy to still be over the limit the 'morning after'."

Motorists face a dual risk during the winter months, with weather also conspiring to make journeys more hazardous.

Road safety charities and insurers have already begun their winter safety campaigns, following widespread reports of snow and bad weather across the UK this weekend.

Published by Tessa Jones