Police are disappointed by the rise in the drink-driving arrests

Statistics released by Cumbria Police show 498 breath tests were carried out during its Christmas drink-drive campaign.

Of those, 39 were positive, failed, or refused compared to 24 last year.

Officers carried out 132 breath tests after collisions in the county and 13 of those were positive, refused or failed up from 11 last year.

During the campaign from 18 December to 2 January, there were 63 road collisions in which people were injured, which was down from 73 last year.

It clearly shows there continues to be a percentage of motorists who fail to heed all the warnings that drinking and driving endangers lives . Sergeant Paul Brown

Police praised the support of the public for the campaign after they received 81 reports that someone was driving with excess alcohol.

Campaign co-ordinator Sergeant Paul Brown said: "It is pleasing to see that the number of collisions where someone was injured fell by 16% compared to last year but disappointing to see that the proportion of positive, refused or failed breath tests increased.

"The excellent response of the public in contacting the police about suspected drink-drivers has obviously had an impact on this latter figure.

"But it clearly shows there continues to be a percentage of motorists who fail to heed all the warnings that drinking and driving endangers lives .

"Drink-driving is not just an issue at Christmas, but throughout the year.

"Throughout 2004, those who break the law will be penalized while we encourage people to build on their support in 2003 and continue to ring us if they know of someone who drink-drives."