A Home Affairs department member has said motorists don’t need any more warnings not to drink or drug-drive - and they will be arrested.

Responding to a suggestion there should be a dedicated media campaign to warn drivers not to get behind the wheel after drinking or taking drugs, Dr Alex Allinson said there was no excuse for motorists.

During the Christmas drink drive campaign - November 22 to January 6 - 30 people were stopped on suspicion of driving under the influence of drink or drugs, with 23 arrested.

Of those, eight were charged, 11 were bailed pending further inquiries and four motorists were released without charge.

For the whole of 2018, the number of those arrested was 155.

Responding to questions in the House of Keys from Jason Moorhouse (Arbory, Castletown and Malew), Dr Allinson said: ’For years the Isle of Man Constabulary and the Department of Home Affairs have been having these publicity campaigns saying it is wrong to get behind the wheel of a car when you are drunk.

’Time and time again we have said it is unacceptable. How many times do you have to say that before you say enough is enough, let’s prosecute these people?’

He added: ’One of the reasons we have got an increase in arrests this year is because the constabulary have been doing exactly that.

’This year we have not reminded people, yet again, it is unacceptable - we have gone out to catch them.’

Dr Allinson pointed out that drink and drug-related driving was also covered in the new road safety strategy, which was approved by Tynwald earlier this month.

Asked about the specific dangers of driving while using legal drugs, Dr Allinson said: ’There are clear guidelines for a lot of people when they get behind the wheel that they must be suitable to do so.

’I think it is people’s individual responsibility, if they are on prescribed medications, to ask their GP, ask their pharmacist whether these might interfere with their driving.’