A TOTAL of 216 drivers are facing criminal proceedings after getting behind the the wheel after too many festive drinks.
A TOTAL of 216 drivers are facing criminal proceedings after getting behind the the wheel after too many festive drinks.
However, police have reported a reduction in the number of arrests for the offence by almost 20 per cent, compared to the same period in 2006/07 when 260 drivers were arrested over Christmas and New Year.
The campaign has seen approximately 2,000 drivers stopped across the force area per week.
In North Somerset 34 were arrested, alongside 68 motorists in Bristol, 29 in South Gloucestershire, 28 in Bath and North East Somerset, 33 in Somerset West and 24 in Somerset East.
Those offenders now face a criminal record, a 12-month minimum driving ban and an 11-year wait for a clean licence.
At the launch of this year's campaign police predicted that young drivers would make up the bulk of drink drive offenders and the release of today's figures show 78 were aged under 25.
Police are urging people to report drink drivers by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
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