Christmas drink-driving shame

Police breathalysed 24% fewer motorists over the Christmas drink driving campaign but found a greater proportion of drivers over the limit.

Police tested 169,838 motorists between December 1 and January 1 - 53,585 less than during the same campaign in 2009. Police blamed the bad weather in December for the fall in the number of motorists being tested.

Despite the 23.98% drop in tests, police found 6613 drivers were over the limit or refused to take the test, 1025 less than in 2009.

That means the proportion of drivers providing a positive test increased by 13.9% to 3.89%.

Chief Constable Mick Giannasi of the Association of Chief Police Officers said: 'Death on the road devastates peoples' lives and has a huge financial cost to society.

'It will also have consequences for those who were caught. All of them now face a lengthy driving ban, some will face imprisonment and many will have lost their jobs and their livelihoods.'