Rise in festive drink-drive arrests

A total of 7,729 drivers were breathalysed during South Yorkshire Police's campaign, which targeted known drink-driving hot spots, and of those 316 tested positive or refused to provide a breath test.

Stuart Walne, chief inspector for roads policing at the force, said: "Running an intelligence-led campaign meant that, whilst the number of breath tests carried out had reduced in comparison to the campaign during December 2009, the number of people caught drink-driving actually increased.

"The increased number of arrests shows we are serious about keeping people safe from drink- drivers. I'd like to thank not only my colleagues for working so hard, but also the public in helping to inform us of regular drink- drivers.

"Despite our efforts, we still get situations where some people are up to four times over the limit and where others are double the drink-driving limit the morning after. It is clear that drink-driving kills people and is a factor in road collisions, which can have a devastating effect."