Police remain concerned despite the drop in festive drink-drivers

A total of 18 drivers were reported for drink-driving with another two said to be under the influence of drugs.

That compares to 32 drink offences and three drug drivers last year.

However, police said there had been an increase of 10% in such driving offences over the whole year which was "simply not acceptable".

Sgt Scott McLachlan said the force remained unconvinced that the festive figures indicated a change in driver attitude.

Particularly worrying is that 11 of these drivers were involved in collisions and it was only luck that nobody was seriously injured as a result Sgt Scott McLachlan

"We are pleased that the figures have shown a significant drop compared to those of last year," he said.

"However, we still had 20 people who chose to drive under the influence and put themselves and others at risk.

"Particularly worrying is that 11 of these drivers were involved in collisions and it was only luck that nobody was seriously injured as a result."

He added that the annual trend was also of concern with a 10% rise to 330 people caught in 2006.

"This is simply not acceptable and we will continue to target drink and drug drivers throughout the coming year," he said.

The festive drink-driving campaign ran between 6 December and 3 January.