Police have voiced disappointment over the increase in drink-driving

Officers snared 211 motorists in the third week of the campaign - up by 52 on the same period last year.

It brings to 620 the number of drivers caught so far either over the limit or refusing to give a test - an increase of 54 on the figure for 2004.

Police have also caught 35 motorists for drug-driving during the campaign, up from 12 last year.

Chief Constable John Vine, of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (Acpos), added: "I still find it hard to believe that so many people are willing to risk their licence, their jobs and people's lives by drinking or taking drugs and driving.

DRINK-DRIVE TOTALS SO FAR Strathclyde: 242 Grampian: 85 Lothian and Borders: 78 Tayside: 74 Fife: 48 Northern: 48 Central: 23 Dumfries and Galloway: 22

"In the midst of this festive season and with Hogmanay coming up I would urge anybody going out for a drink not to take the car but to arrange a lift home or order a taxi."

Among drivers caught drunk behind the wheel was a 51-year-old man, who was nearly four times over the limit in Forres on Christmas Day.

A 61-year-old man who crashed at Oldcraighall on the A1 was almost three times over the limit the morning after a company party.

Director of Road Safety Scotland Michael McDonnell said: "The countless festive opportunities often lead people to having a few more drinks than intended.

"Festive drinks can often be spur of the moment, perhaps after work or at lunch with a friend, leaving people unprepared for getting home safely."

He added: "Drink drivers face up to 14 years imprisonment for causing death on the road and, even if you don't cause serious injury, people's lifestyles will be severely disrupted with an automatic one-year ban from driving."