Significant rise in December drink-driving numbers

Twenty-three arrested

There's been another spike in the number of people caught driving under the influence during December.

In all, there were 23 arrests for drink and drug-related driving.

Of those, eight have been charged in court, 11 were bailed pending further enquiries and four were released without charge.

In December 2016 seven people were arrested, a number which doubled in December 2017.

The 23 arrests made last month, therefore, show an increase of more than three times in as many years.

Sergeant Jamie Tomlinson is from the Roads Policing Unit, and says it's a significant number: (play audio)

Police say they stopped a total of 349 cars over the month, and breathalised 38 drivers.

That's over 60% of drivers breathalised found to be over the limit.

The numbers also include those caught under the influence of drugs, however these are still pending investigation and exact numbers haven't been released.

You can hear the full interview with Sergeant Jamie Tomlinson on tomorrow morning's Mandate programme from 7.30am with Alex Wotton.