New Year’s Eve is one of the most celebrated days of the calendar.

But new data from Confused.com reveals more drink-drivers have been caught the day after, on New Year’s Day, than on any other calendar date for the past six years. New Freedom of Information (FOI) data obtained by the insurance company shows at least 186 drivers were caught over the limit on New Year’s Day in 2019. This is an increase of 74 per cent compared to previous year.

In total, 2,996 drivers were caught behind the wheel while over the limit in January 2019, according to FOI data.

A spokesperson for Confused.com said: "It seems some drivers are waking up in the New Year without giving any thought to how much alcohol might still be in their system from the previous night’s festivities. But drivers need to remain particularly vigilant, as more than one in eight (13 per cent) UK drivers have or know someone who has been caught drink-driving on New Year’s Day. A further one in six (17 per cent) also admit to having driven while still feeling drunk or hungover on January 1.

"Overall, the morning after a night out seems to be a prime time for drink driving offences. Further research found that nearly half (46 per cent) of motorists who’ve been caught drink-driving were still over the morning after drinking. It’s clear that a good night’s sleep isn’t always enough, but nearly one in six (16 per cent) drivers are confused about how long they should wait between drinking and driving. To help driver’s stay on the right side of the law, Confused.com has created a morning after calculator (https://www.confused.com/car-insurance/morning-after-calculator), which gives drivers an indication of when their body should be free of alcohol, based on how many units they consumed and when they stopped drinking.

"But, while drivers leave an average of eight hours before driving after the night before, it’s clear a good night’s sleep doesn’t always do the job. Of those who drove the morning after a night out, despite being over the limit, nearly two in five (37 per cent) assumed the alcohol had worn off from sleeping. And more than a quarter (27 per cent) of them felt they were fit to drive."

The biggest culprits of drink-driving may come as a surprise, as the research shows older drivers are the most likely to risk drink-driving. More than half (55 per cent) of over 55s admit to driving after drinking. And when it comes to the sexes, men are almost three times more likely to be prosecuted for drink-driving compared to women.

Amanda Stretton, motoring editor at Confused.com, said: “New Year’s Day is a fresh start for a lot of us, but unfortunately some are starting the year the wrong way.

“With many of us seeing in the new year, we need to clue up on the drink-drive laws. And alcohol can take a lot longer to leave the body than expected. But working out units versus hours passed is confusing at the best of times, so we’ve released our morning after calculator to estimate when you should be safe to drive.

“Ultimately, jumping behind the wheel after a drink is putting yourself and other road users at risk. Not only this but it can land you with a fine or driving ban. If you’re drinking, don't drive. If you’re driving, don't drink.”