DRINK-drivers who are twice the legal alcohol limit are more than 30 times more likely to cause a crash than those who have not been drinking, police have warned.

Throughout last month, police carried out 11,230 breath tests across Greater Manchester which resulted in 464 people being arrested for drink-driving.

This means that 4.1 per cent of drivers breathalysed tested positive, which is up from 3.5 per cent last year.

Of those arrested, 78 were involved in crashes, which is the same number as last year, and six people were arrested for drug-driving following roadside impairment tests, which is down by 28 compared to December 2011.

PC Martin Tomlinson, from Greater Manchester Police’s road policing unit, which is based in Leigh, said getting behind the wheel while under the influence is not worth the risk.

He said: “Even if you are under the limit you are still impaired by alcohol.

“If people need to drive the morning after drinking they shouldn’t be complacent.

“A lot of people are surprised when they fail breath tests, but a lot of people are getting caught.

“If you need to drive the next day people should leave it a good while after drinking before driving.”

Police have been cracking down on drink-drivers by carrying out breath tests across Bolton on motorists who are spotted driving badly.

They say everyone reacts differently with alcohol — a person’s weight, sex, age and metabolism all play a part, along with the amount and type of drink.

People could still fall foul of driving illegally the morning after drinking even if they feel all right — police say it is impossible to get rid of alcohol faster regardless of the amount of “sobering up” techniques people try.

Those caught getting behind the wheel while over the limit will be left with a criminal record, unable to drive for at least a year, have higher insurance, could lose their job and will have their licence endorsed for 11 years.