A new study has revealed that nearly one in four drivers have unwittingly broken the law by getting behind the wheel after doing one thing that could result in accidents and an unlimited fine.

While all drivers are aware of the consequences they face by taking to the roads after drinking alcohol, the insurance comparison service SimplyQuote highlighted that 19 percent of Brits are unaware of driving the morning after.

Chris Richards, CEO and insurance expert at SimplyQuote, highlighted that misconceptions about ways to get alcohol out of their system simply do not work.

He explained: “Many people still believe in myths about how to sober up, such as having a strong coffee or taking a cold shower, but these methods simply don’t work.

“While they might make drivers feel better temporarily, they don’t speed up the process of alcohol leaving the system – only time can do that.”

According to SimplyQuote, who assessed the opinions of 1,000 motorists, 81 percent were aware that they could still be convicted of drink-driving the day after exceeding the alcohol limit.

Currently, around 20 percent of all drink-driving convictions take place on the day after a motorist last consumed alcohol, even if the motorist followed myths that claim to help them to sober up.

No matter when they are caught, motorists who are found to be over the drink-drive limit when behind the wheel of a car can face penalties including an unlimited fine, a driving ban of at least 12 months, and even up to six months in prison.

To avoid these issues, Chris recommended that drivers avoid driving the morning after exceeding the alcohol limit, using other forms of transportation if they need to travel and only getting behind the wheel once again when they can be sure they are safe.

He advised: “It’s crucial for drivers to understand that the morning after isn’t always a safe time to drive.

“If you’re caught with alcohol still in your system, the penalties can be severe, including fines, driving bans, and even imprisonment.”