A TOP police officer says he is shocked that drink and drug drivers continue to flout the law after arrests soared by ten per cent in North Yorkshire over the Christmas and New Year period despite a major campaign warning of the dangers.

So far, 12 motorists have been prosecuted, fined over £7,700 and banned from driving for a total of 32 years.

Police say a further 40 drivers are currently waiting to go through the courts.

From December 1 to January 1, police arrested 137 people for drink and drug- driving across the county, compared to 124 in the same period last year.

Of those 93 were for drink-driving and 44 drug driving.

Officers carried out over 1,300 breath tests, the highest reading was a 36-year- old man from York who was more than three times the legal limit.

Deputy Chief Constable Tim Madgwick said: “Throughout the year and particularly at Christmas, we issue numerous warnings about the dangers and consequences of drink and drug-driving, and the fact that officers will be out in force, targeting these offences.

“This is why it is both shocking and astounding to see that some still choose to ignore the warnings and not only risk arrest and prosecution, but the physical safety of themselves and other road users.

“However, the arrests figures released today also show that our officers remain vigilant and 100 per cent committed to identifying these drivers and getting them off the roads.

“More than 1,300 breath tests have been conducted throughout the course of this campaign, and we now have more officers than ever who have undergone specialist drug driving training.

“With the use of tools such as the drug wipe roadside testing equipment, we are making a significant number of drug-driving arrests and have seen a 37.5 per cent increase compared to last year’s figures.

“Although the Christmas campaign has drawn to a close,our determination to ensure that the roads remain safe for the public of North Yorkshire remains resolute and we will persist in targeting drink and drug-drivers throughout the year.

“We also continue to work alongside our partners at the 95 Alive Road Safety Partnership in the educational and preventative work carried out.”

“I’d also like to thank members of the public who picked up the phone and reported drink and drug-driving to us.”

Other forces in the region have yet to release figures from their anti-drink and drug-driving operations.