Published: Saturday, 16th January, 2010 10:00am

DRINK DRIVING DOWN IN NORTH AYRSHIRE

by Fiona Simpson

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Festive crackdown pays off as fewer people arrested

DRINK and drug driving over the festive period was down overall across Ayrshire this year according to results issued by police this week.

The 2009 festive campaign, which started back in December, saw officers across North Ayrshire out in force in a bid to crackdown on motorists choosing to drink or take drugs and drive.

In Ayrshire last year 52 people were arrested for drink/drug driving offences but in 2009 only 36 people were found under the influence - down by 16.

Across Scotland results show that there was a 16 per cent decrease in offenders with only 490 people arrested.

The positive results show that more and more motorists are choosing not to take the car and risk driving under the influence.

Inspector Drew Robertson said: "It is encouraging that fewer drivers were arrested during the 2009 festive campaign than there were during the equivalent period in 2008."

SEE THIS WEEK'S HERALD FOR THE FULL STORY