Figures released by Hampshire Constabulary on Wednesday revealed that over Christmas 2000 (between December 1 and January 2), 279 people were arrested and charged for drink-drive related offences in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
For the same period this year the figure was 225, meaning that officers can celebrate a reduction of 19 per cent.
Nearly 700 people were breathalysed after being involved in road collisions during the Christmas drink-drive campaign and 43 (six per cent) of them provided a positive breath-test sample.
The number of people injured in road accidents increased to 215 from 171 the previous year year.
Road safety inspector Peter Hughes said: ÒAlthough the number of people arrested and charged has decreased since this time last year, too many people are still driving after consuming alcohol.
ÒThis is a very serious matter, especially for people who are injured and families who lose loved ones as a result.
ÒWe will continue to target drink- drivers. This is not just a Christmas campaign. All drivers involved in collisions will be breath-tested.
ÒAnybody offered a lift by anybody they know or suspect to have been drinking, should make safe alternative arrangements for travel. They should not put their lives at risk by being a passenger with somebody who is not safe to drive.Ó
Whitehill Inspector Gerry Thorne told The Herald that the Hampshire figures mirror the situation in the Bordon area.
ÒIt is pleasing that we didnÕt really catch many people drinking and driving over Christmas,Ó he said.
HampshireÕs figures were in stark contrast to the national figures which saw an increase in the number of drivers tested who were over the limit.
Nationally, out of more than 15,000 drivers breath-tested, eight per cent were over the limit - an increase of almost one per cent on the last festive season.