Lancashire Police carried out more roadside drink-driving breath tests during December than any other police force in the country in each of the last three years, new figures have revealed.

The constabulary breathalised 6,123 motorists during that month between 2022 and 2024 - 372 of whom were found to be over the legal limit. That was the fourth highest-number of failed breath tests for the period nationwide, according to online used car retailer Cinch, which obtained the data via a Freedom of Information request.

In 2024, nearly one in four of the tests conducted in Lancashire occurred in December, when enforcement is stepped up around Christmas.

Ben Welham, motoring editor at Cinch, said: “Christmas is a critical period for drink drive testing, and the data shows police are carrying out large volumes of roadside stops during the festive season to prevent harm.

"However, even with this level of enforcement, significant numbers of drivers are still being caught over the legal limit, sometimes at extremely high levels.

"Looking at approaches elsewhere, including Scotland’s lower alcohol limit threshold and zero-tolerance policies in other parts of Europe, it’s reasonable to ask whether clearer, simpler rules and messaging could help further reduce risk on the roads.”