Results from the latest Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) Christmas drink and drug driving campaign show that 191,040 breath tests were administered, up from 175,831 in 2012. Of those, 6550 tests were either positive, failed or refused – down from 2012’s figure of 7123, a reduction of around 8%.

In addition, 513 Field Impairment Tests (FIT) were conducted over the campaign – which ran in forces within England, Wales and Northern Ireland from 29th November to 1st January 2014 – of which 143 resulted in an arrest.

National policing lead for roads policing, Chief Constable Suzette Davenport, said: ‘I am very pleased to see that the anti-drink and drug driving message we relentlessly put out, year in, year out, got through to a significant number of people during Christmas 2013 – and according to the results of national drink-drive operations, fewer and fewer are taking that most deadly of risks.

‘It is particularly gratifying to see a real-terms reduction even though testing has been increased.

‘The last three years have shown a slow but steady fall in the number of drivers taking the risk of driving under the influence, and it is our goal to accelerate that decrease and maintain its momentum in the weeks, months and years ahead.’