Norfolk Police arrested 161 people across the county during their annual Christmas campaign highlighting the dangers of both drink and drug-driving.
Officers carried out roadside checks as well as enforcing the rules using information they had gathered, and carried out a parallel social media campaign too about how your life changes if you lose your licence.
The full figures are:
868 motorists were stopped or dealt with
19 per cent were arrested
Of these:
85 on suspicion of drink-driving (768 people breathalysed in total, with 683 providing negative tests)
51 on suspicion of drug-driving (75 people tested in total, with 24 providing negative tests)
In addition, nine people were arrested for failing to provide a specimen and 16 people were arrested for being unfit through drink or drugs
Of all the people who failed a test, 79% were male and 19% were under the age of 25-years-old.
Chief Inspector Jon Chapman, of the Joint Roads & Armed Policing Team, said: “It is incredibly disappointing that so many people are still prepared to take such unnecessary risks with their lives and the lives of others, when everyone is fully aware of the dangers of driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs.
“Our message for the campaign was ‘No Excuse’ and it is that simple: there is no excuse for risking lives or injuring others; no excuse for causing damage to other vehicles or property; no excuse for putting your livelihood at risk – if losing your licence would mean losing your job, the consequences of that would likely have an impact beyond yourself, especially if you have a family.
“Driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs is one of the ‘Fatal Four’ offences, which makes you more likely to be involved in either a serious or fatal collision – alongside speeding, driving whilst using a mobile phone and driving without wearing a seatbelt.
“We raise awareness and carry-out enforcement activity in respect of these offences all year round and our officers are passionate about making the county’s roads safer for everybody – a fact which I believe is demonstrated by the 868 motorists they interacted with during the month-long campaign.
“Offenders be warned – we are out on the roads 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and if you are caught there will be no excuses.”