A reconstruction of an accident was used to highlight the dangers

The carnage was revealed on Monday as the police and DoE began their annual winter drink-driving campaign.

Between January and September this year, more than 3,000 drink-drivers were caught on the roads in Northern Ireland.

The police have warned of increased patrols to crack down on persistent offenders.

Assistant Chief Constable Roy Toner said that, once again, the message was simple: "Never Ever Drink and Drive".

He said: "The human consequences of drinking and driving are quite simply horrific. Drinking and driving takes lives and leaves others seriously injured.

"Anyone tempted to drink and drive should ask the question 'Could I live with the shame of killing someone?'

If you drink and drive, you can be assured that we will catch you Roy Toner PSNI

"An irresponsible minority still ignore all advice and warnings and, what's more, ignore the feelings of a vast majority of people, for whom drinking and driving is shameful and unacceptable."

Statistics show that last year, 37 deaths and 145 serious injuries were attributable to drink-driving.

During a recent weekend in the greater Belfast area, police caught 38 drivers over the legal limit to drive.

On Monday, the police staged a reconstruction of a road collision to demonstrate the type of destruction that can be caused by drink-drivers.

Mr Toner said the death and injury figures were "unacceptable".

"We will continue to robustly enforce the law through increased patrolling and targeted policing operations to detect those who continue to break the law. If you drink and drive, you can be assured that we will catch you," he said.

Harry Green, Chief Road Safety Officer for the Department of the Environment (DoE), said most people considered drink driving unacceptable and shameful, even as reprehensible as drug-dealing.

People are often unaware of how long alcohol remains in the body

But he warned of the dangers of the "morning after" scenario.

"If you have been out drinking, and drive the following day, you might still be over the limit, but this could be exacerbated by fatigue and the effects of a hangover.

"And I must stress that this is not just about being over the limit. Very low levels of alcohol will impair your ability to drive.

"But still, a minority of drivers seem determined to selfishly ignore all good advice and the feelings of others and drink and drive."

Earlier this month, it was revealed that the "don't drink and drive" message was not getting through to motorists.

The national road safety charity Brake, launched a hard-hitting message to highlight rising casualty figures in Northern Ireland.