Rail commuters will be able to see if they made the right choice to get the train to work instead of driving when the Police, working with council road safety officers, conduct voluntary breath tests on passengers to highlight the dangers of driving the morning after the night before.

Based at a number of local stations, the tests are part of the campaign Don’t drive the morning after the night before being launched by council’s Road Safety Team and the Police to highlight the fact that just because you’ve had a sleep, doesn’t mean you’re safe to drive.

Cllr Barbara Reid, Executive Member for Environment and Planning said “If you've been out drinking you may still be affected by alcohol the next day. You might feel OK, but you may still be unfit to drive or over the legal alcohol limit. For example it can take up to 12 hours for the amount of alcohol in your body to return to a safe level after four pints of lager.

“The penalties for driving whilst over the limit are the same in the morning as they are in the evening. If you’re stopped by the Police and breathalysed, you could still lose your licence if you drive the next day when you're still over the legal alcohol level.”

Some people think that a shower, a cup of coffee or other ways of ‘sobering up’ will get rid of the alcohol quicker, but these don’t work. It just takes time.

Drivers caught driving whilst over the legal limit face a maximum penalty of 6 months' imprisonment, a fine of up to £5,000 and a minimum 12 months driving ban. If you are convicted of drink driving the endorsement remains on your licence for 11 years.

Cllr Reid continued “The more you drink, the longer it takes to sober up, so the next morning you and your driving could still be affected by the alcohol you drank the night before. A ‘skinful’ the night before may lead to a ‘mournful’ morning after.”