With the festive season on the horizon, the Morning After campaign is urging revellers to be mindful of the risk of driving over the limit the morning after drinking alcohol.

In the wake of an increase in arrests last Christmas, North Yorkshire police will launch the annual Christmas crackdown under Operation Attention - the force’s ongoing campaign to combat drink and drug driving.

In comparison to figures for 2015 arrests for drink and drug driving in the period from December 1, 2016 to January 1, 2017 increased by 10.5 per cent from 124 to the 137. Although York saw a 39 per cent decrease in arrests overall, Harrogate saw a 100 per cent increase.

The police can stop anyone they suspect of driving with too much alcohol in their body. If stopped, the driver will be asked to take a roadside breath test . If over the limit, the driver will be arrested and taken to a police station for further tests.

If over the limit, the consequences could include disqualification from driving for at least 12 months and a large fine, a prison sentence of up to six months, publicity, job loss, trouble getting into countries like the USA, and a massive increase in car insurance costs, and some companies won’t insure you.

The Institute of Advanced Motorists calculates that a drink drive conviction could cost up to £50,000.

There is no way of knowing the level of alcohol in your system the morning after without testing it. Dr Paul Wallace, Chief Medical Adviser for Drinkaware says; “The amount of alcohol in your bloodstream depends on the amount you take in, over what period of time and the speed at which your body gets rid of it.”

Sleep has no bearing on the rate alcohol leaves your blood.

Alcohol is broken down in the bloodstream mainly by enzymes in the liver. Drinking lots of water or coffee or even having a cold shower won’t help get rid of the alcohol.

It is easy to underestimate how much alcohol remains in your system. It is far safer not to drive the day after a night out.

For advice, contact Lupton Fawcett’s head of Regulatory, Jeremy Scott, on 07971 520407 or jeremy.scott@luptonfawcett.law