MORE than 800 motorists were breath-tested for drink driving during a six week crackdown by police in North Yorkshire.

The tests resulted in 177 arrests – and 21 of those had given readings of more than two-and-a-half times the legal limit.

In one case a 50-year-old woman from York, who was tested shortly after noon on July 6, gave a reading that was almost five times the legal limit. She is currently on police bail.

Some 59 arrests were also made for drug-driving after motorists gave positive roadside drug tests.

That figure represents a huge 168 per cent increase in the level of drug driving arrests made during last year’s campaign, when 22 people were arrested. The rise has been attributed to the use of the new roadside testing equipment.

So far 29 offenders have been sentenced at court, receiving bans of between 12 and 48 months and heavy fines. Some have been ordered to complete community orders and in some cases been handed suspended prison sentences.

Sergeant Andy Morton of the Road Policing Group said: “Whilst the increase in the numbers of arrests made is disappointing, the figures clearly demonstrate our commitment to get dangerous drink and drug drivers off the road.

“The campaign may have drawn to a close for the summer, but our determination to find and prosecute people who openly disregard the law and put themselves and others at risk, does not waiver.”

Of the arrests 11 were made in the Richmond area, 13 in Hambleton, 17 in Ryedale, 37 in Harrogate, 44 in Scarborough, 30 in York, 11 in Craven and 14 in Selby.