Drinking and driving among elderly motorists has risen by a fifth in two years, with 232 over-75s caught driving over the legal limit last year, including a 93-year-old stopped in Devon.
The research, which was carried out by car insurer Swiftcover.com, shows that over-50s make up 15 per cent of drink-drive offenders. The data was gathered under the Freedom of Information Act from 42 of the UK's 52 police forces.
The data shows that at least one driver aged over 50 is caught drink-driving every hour in the UK and in Hampshire alone one driver aged over 75 is caught over the limit every month. South England in general is the worst spot for older motorists drinking and driving, with the South West having the highest number of over-75 offenders.
Of the police forces which submitted data to Swiftcover.com, Strathclyde reported the greatest number of over-50s convicted, with 1,469. Manchester came in a close second with 1,452, followed by Hampshire with 1,294, Thames Valley with 1,201 and Devon & Cornwall with 1,196.
Experts say that the reason for the rise is that drink-driving is seen as more socially acceptable by older drivers. The Swiftcover report states: "The majority of over 75 year olds will have first begun to drive in the 1950s, but a legal alcohol limit was not introduced to the UK until 1967."
However, Roman Bryl, underwriting manager at Swiftcover.com, said: "Drink-driving is not acceptable at any age.
"Although great strides have been made to tackle this in younger people, the number of motorists drink-driving from the older generations is still worryingly high.
"An increase in driving under the influence among the elderly is a shocking and deeply concerning trend as far too many casualties and fatalities occur as a result of this."
AA president Edmund King said: "Drink-driving is a menace to everyone on our roads. Behind every statistic is a personal tragedy that could have been avoided.
"We need to keep reinforcing to drivers of all ages -- young and old -- the message that drinking and driving don't mix."
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