December drink driver numbers fall

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Police carried out more than 155,000 breath tests last month - 6% more than in the previous festive campaign - with 7,800 proving positive. The total compared with 9,700 drink drivers who were snared in the 2006 crackdown.

The number of drug drivers was also down, with 153 arrests compared with 251 the previous year, the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) said.

Nottinghamshire Chief Constable and Acpo head of roads policing Steve Green said: "While just one person drinking and driving is too many, the fact that we have tested 10,000 more drivers than during the last campaign yet arrested some 20% fewer is encouraging.

"It indicates that increased enforcement and a hard-hitting campaign may be starting to have an impact.

"Those arrested will now be brought to justice and face potentially life-changing consequences, with disqualification, a fine or imprisonment all possible results for their actions."

However, the figures showed there was no significant difference in the failure rate between older drivers and those aged under 25, who are statistically more likely to be involved in road traffic collisions.

Mr Green said: "Older drivers, who might be expected to take a more mature and considered decision than those younger than them, are evidently not doing so.

"In partnership with Government and other agencies, it is vitally important that we address the behaviour of young drivers, who are significantly more likely to be involved in fatal and serious collisions, even when they have not been drinking."

The figures were for England and Wales, but excluded Surrey Police which has yet to finalise its totals.