THE number of people arrested for drink-driving across Hampshire over the Christmas period has fallen, but motorists are being warned the figures need to fall further.

Drink driving is a serious offence and can have devastating consequences, as every year hundreds of people are killed or seriously injured across Britain as a result of this anti-social practice.

Nearly 6,000 people were breath-tested across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight between December 1 and December 31 last year, and a total of 374 people were arrested for drink-driving. Of these, 37 drivers had been involved in a collision resulting in injury.

For the same month-long period in 2004, 413 people were arrested for drink-driving.

The national campaign was run for an extra two weeks as part of an increased effort across the country to raise awareness of the devastating effect drink-driving can have.

For the first time, the national campaign also focused on drug-driving. This is an area that Hampshire Constabulary has taken a national lead in since 2004, after creating the country's first dedicated impaired driver unit.

During the campaign, which was held over one month, 25 people were arrested in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight for drug-driving.

Inspector Peter Hughes from the roads policing unit said: "It's disappointing to see that almost 400 people are willing to put their own and other people's lives at risk by drink and drug-driving.

"Although this year's figures have seen a fall, there are still too many people driving when impaired through drink and drugs. There is no excuse for this.

"We see too many people being killed or seriously injured through drink or drug-driving. There is no safe amount of alcohol that you can drink before getting behind the wheel of a vehicle. Alcohol affects everyone differently."

Drink and drug-driving is a year-round problem, and Hampshire Constabulary takes a particularly robust stance on the issue. Figures released by the Home Office last year placed the force in the top three for conducting the highest number of breath tests per 100,000 population, alongside Derbyshire and North Wales.

The roads policing unit will continue to use intelligence-led policing and partnership campaigns to tackle drink and drug-driving.

All drivers prosecuted now face losing their driving licence for 12 months, a fine of up to £5,000 , and a six-month prison sentence.