A total of 27 countries participated in the operation between 13 and 19 December, with nearly 800,000 breath tests and drug tests performed on drivers over the seven-day period. More than 12,000 alcohol offences and 1,200 drug offences were recorded, despite heavy snow in many countries disrupting the planned operations.

TISPOL president, Roar Skjelbred Larsen, said: 'Driving after consuming alcohol or taking drugs carries with it great risks and potentially fatal consequences. The co-operation of so many European countries in this action is a firm endorsement of how seriously we take the issues of drink- and drug-driving. 

'We are committed to a united approach that will deal firmly with drink-drivers and drug-drivers, and in so doing will tackle this entirely avoidable and unnecessary threat to the safety of other road users. That's why our commitment to enforcing the appropriate legislation continues every day of the year, with the goal of persuading motorists that drink-driving and/or drug-driving is never worth the risk.'