More than 120 people have been arrested in Cambridgeshire as part of a crackdown on drink driving over the festive period.

Cambs Times: Drink diving figures for the last six yearsDrink diving figures for the last six years (Image: Archant)

On November 16, the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Road Policing Unit launched a seven-week campaign targeting those getting behind the wheel after a few drinks.

Figures released by police this week show 80 were arrested in December and 78 in November with 49 of those being made during the campaign making a total of 129 arrests over the seven week period.

Road Policing Inspector, Phil Bloor, said: “Although our campaign against drink driving has come to an end for now, motorists shouldn’t think they won’t be caught.

“We tackle drink driving all year round, and those who think it is acceptable to drive on our roads under the influence of alcohol should be warned; we will not tolerate drink driving and will seek to prosecute offenders.

Cambs Times: Monthly drink driving figures for 2015Monthly drink driving figures for 2015 (Image: Archant)

“We advise if you’re drinking, even just one, don’t drive and arrange an alternative way of getting home.

“Alcohol creates a feeling of overconfidence, makes judging distance and speed more difficult and slows your reactions so it takes longer to stop.”

He pointed out that over the last six years there has been a overall drop of 18 per cent in the number of people being caught drink driving annually with 928 people arrested in 2015 compared to 1,133 in 2010.

However, 2015 saw a rise year on year in the number of people being caught compared to 2014 - up by 79 from 849 to 928.

The figures showed that last year the worst month for people being caught drink driving was September with 90 arrests.

January was the best month seeing only 60 arrests for driving under the influence. The monthly average was 77 arrests with March and July coming in as the second and third worst respectively.

Cambridgeshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Sir Graham Bright, said: “Although the number of people caught drink driving has decreased over the last six years, 928 people in 2015 is still too many.

“Drinking and driving puts people’s lives at risk and is not acceptable and targeting this irresponsible behaviour will not stop. The message is simple – do not drink and drive.”

More information about drink driving, the law and the dangers can be found on the force website under ‘road safety’ and ‘drink driving’.