ELEVEN people have been arrested on suspicion of drink-driving within the Berkshire West local policing area during the first week of a police campaign.
Thames Valley Police launched its annual Christmas anti-drink drive campaign last week, which runs for one month until Friday, January 1.
Until Sunday (December 6), 41 people across the Thames Valley area were arrested on suspicion of drink-driving.
Of these, 11 were from the Berkshire West Basic Command Unit (BCU), which covers West Berkshire, Reading and Wokingham.
Sergeant Chris Appleby, of Thames Valley Police, said that the figure for the region was too high and that the message is simple - if people have been drinking alcohol, they should not drive.
He said: “Despite an increase in publicity and police activity, there are still too many people not getting the message.
“People who drink and drive put themselves and other road users at risk.”
“This is not just a seasonal problem over Christmas - drinking and driving happens all year round.”
The campaign is particularly aimed at 17 to 29 year-old men, as research shows they are more likely to drive when over the legal limit, or when unsure if they're over the legal limit.
During last year’s campaign in the Thames Valley, 2,928 drivers were breathalysed or given drugs tests and 299 drivers (10 per cent) provided positive tests.
This was slightly lower than the year before when, in 2007, 14 per cent of drivers tested (300 of 2,172 drivers) provided positive test results.
All drivers who provide a positive breath test or refuse or fail to provide a test, face losing their licence for at least 12 months and could go to prison for six months, or face a fine of up to £5,000.
The Christmas anti-drink drive campaign is part of a national crackdown, supported by the Department for Transport and the Association of Chief Police Officers.
Hampshire Constabulary also launched its campaign on November 30, which runs until January 31, and for the first time the force’s 80999 text message service is available to report anyone suspected of driving under the influence.
Sgt John Dainton, of Hampshire Constabulary, said: “By texting, you can still report the details to us when it’s not so easy to do so over the phone, if you’re at the pub for example.”
Drink or drug drivers can also be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers, telephone 0800 555 111.