The police’s anti-drink and festive drug driving campaign has resulted in 11 arrests - the lowest for four years.

This year’s campaign saw more than double the number of vehicles being stopped than what has previously been achieved in the same period over the past three years.

The same increase was also seen in roadside breath tests administered.

Between December 3 and January 2, the police undertook their annual campaign, stopping 711 vehicles.

Of these, 163 roadside breath tests were conducted.

Six people have been charged in court, with four having been bailed pending further inquiries. One person has been released with no further action.

Inspector Neil Craig, head of the roads policing unit, said: ’We decided that our festive campaign would be specifically focused on encouraging members of the public to "make the right choice" by drawing their attention to the consequences of deciding to drive whilst impaired.’

This year’s campaign saw an increase in the number of vehicles stopped but less people being charged.

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Mr Craig continued: ’It is pleasing to see that, despite a far larger number of people being stopped and subject of roadside tests this year, those who have subsequently been found to have been committing drink or drug drive offences has been at a four-year low during the festive period.’

The Department of Home Affairs places front-page advertisements in the Courier to deter drink driving. The police also used social media to underline their message.

The inspector added: ’Whilst it can always be argued that there are people out there who we don’t catch driving whilst impaired, I’m confident that this is likely to be a relatively small number given the high visibility and proactive approach that we have taken, and which has involved the whole force.’

He said that throughout the year plain-clothed and uniformed officers are looking to detect drink or drug drivers, and they are finding that members of the public are now ’far more likely’ to contact police directly about someone they suspect may be driving under the influence.

This is because the behaviour is viewed as being socially unacceptable, along with the potential for it bringing about life-changing consequences for people.

The likelihood for drink and drug driving offences increasing over the festive period is ’always greater due to people having more nights out and attending Christmas parties’, but is also something that can be prevalent throughout the whole year.

’When the winter months approach and it’s more difficult for people to get home, there’s always the potential for drink and drug driving to increase hence why we have, and will continue, to take an enhanced approach during the festive period,’ Mr Craig said.

’We absolutely want people to enjoy themselves at any time of the year, but the message we have been pushing during this year’s campaign is one that we will continue to push throughout the coming year - do not take even one drink and get behind the wheel, and the same for drugs.

’The consequences of drink and drug driving can be absolutely devastating for everyone involved.

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’Those found guilty of these offences are likely to face not only a criminal record, a large fine, a driving ban, and potentially up to six months in prison, but also the often lesser considered knock-on effects around their employment and that of obtaining driving insurance in the future.’

The police’s enforcement campaign throughout 2022 will ’continue to see an even stronger focus and proactive approach’ being taken towards drink and drug driving offences on the island’s roads, ’so the chances of people being caught are now far higher’, according to the police.

’Driving while under the influence puts not only the driver, but also passengers and other road users at risk of serious injury or even death, so our message is clear and unequivocal - don’t drink or take drugs and then drive as it’s not worth the risk,’ Mr Craig added.

’Do your part, and help keep our roads safe.’