SHOCKING figures have revealed that more and more Hampshire motorists are getting behind the wheel after drinking alcohol.
Despite a high profile police campaign aimed at making people think more about their actions, the number of people who failed roadside breath tests after being involved in collisions over the festive period has shot up.
Coupled with this disturbing rise, the number of people arrested for drink-driving has also increased over the same period.
From December 18 to January 2, 37 people failed breath tests out of 474 tested across the county after being involved in collisions.
Last year over the same period, 32 out of 659 people who were tested after collisions were arrested.
Overall the countyÕs figures have risen from 4.85 per cent testing positive to 7.8 per cent.
Despite falling below the national average of 8.91 per cent of motorists, this rise is still disturbing.
Meanwhile, 197 people were taken into custody for drink-driving offences in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, compared to 188 last year and 160 the year before.
Locally 10 motorists were arrested for drink-driving in Alton, Bordon and Petersfield.
Sergeant Steve Wakeford, roads policing unit casualty reduction manager, said that nearly 50 per cent of offenders were under the age of 30.
He said: ÒIÕm very disappointed by these figures. Despite our high profile campaign, people have still chosen to ignore our warnings. WhatÕs worrying now is that it appears drink-driving is an increasing trend.
ÒSimilarly, what is just as worrying is that the highest percentage of people arrested were in the 16-24 age bracket, and overall 46 per cent of offenders were aged under 30.
ÒWhat will it take to get these people to understand the dangers they present? We donÕt want any more lives lost as a result of this irresponsible act. There is no excuse for this anti-social practice.Ó
Although this yearÕs festive campaign has now ended motorists are being warned that there will still be nowhere to hide if they drive while under the influence of alcohol.
A police spokeswoman said that the constabularyÕs roads policing unit would Òcontinue to maintain its high profile enforcement of the drink-drive laws throughout the year as part of its commitment to cut the number of people being killed or seriously injured on the roadsÓ.