A total of 78 people were arrested for drink-driving in Northamptonshire over the festive period this year - two more than in December 2014.
Of the people arrested, 12 were aged 18-24, 21 were aged 25-29, 19 were aged 30-39, 14 were aged 40-49, eight were aged 50-59, three were aged 60-69 and one person was aged 70-79.
PC Chris Gray, from the force’s Safer Roads team, who led the operation, said it was very disappointing that people are still willing to risk drink-driving and that the number of arrests in December was higher than the previous year.
He said: “Contrary to what some people might think, we don’t want to catch drink-drivers. We would prefer it if everyone we tested had no alcohol in their system – that would suggest that the message about how dangerous drinking and driving is was really getting across.
“For those people we did arrest, they now face a large fine, a driving ban or even prison – not a good start to the New Year.”
Following the introduction of new legislation last year, drivers also faced drugs test during December’s campaign.
A total of 10 people were arrested for driving with illegal substances in their system.
Drivers who are convicted of drug-driving face a minimum one year driving ban, an unlimited fine and up to six months in prison.
Those who are found guilty of drink-driving face up to six months in prison, a large fine or a driving ban for at least a year.
Drivers who are found guilty of causing death by careless driving while drunk can get up to 14 years in prison, an unlimited fine or a driving ban for at least two years.
People who have information about drink-drivers can send a text message to 0780 000 5554.
Alternatively, they can call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or dial 999 in an emergency.
