Police have revealed what an inspector described as a "shocking" number of arrests during a crackdown on drink and drug driving over the Christmas period.
A total of 271 people were arrested across Lancashire during the Operation Limit campaign in December and into the new year.
Officers performed 648 breath tests during Operation Limit this year.
One of the high measuring breath tests included a 42-year-old woman who blew 98mg per 100ml of breath at the roadside in the Morecambe area. The legal limit for alcohol in England is 35mg per 100ml.
In all, 82 people were arrested in Lancashire for driving with excess alcohol, while 124 were arrested for excess drugs.
Last year 97 were arrested for excess alcohol while 129 were arrested for excess drugs.
Offences ranged from driving with excess alcohol to being in charge of a vehicle while unfit though drink or drugs.
Some arrests were also due to offenders failing to provide a breath test.
There were 45 arrests between December 29 and January 1 - an 18 per cent increase from the same period last year, when 38 people were arrested.
“Many people will find this number of arrests shocking, and I agree with them," said Chief Inspector John Jennings-Wharton, of the force’s roads policing unit.
"Having been a family liaison officer myself, I understand the trauma and devastation that road traffic collisions cause.
“To think that people willingly impair their driving with drink or drugs is truly appalling. It shows a total disregard for the law and for the safety of other road users. Offenders put not only themselves but countless others at risk.
“While these arrest figures are shocking, they are slightly lower than they were last year. Regardless, I’m not naïve to the fact that offenders are continuing to drive on Lancashire’s roads after drinking or taking drugs. My message to those people is this: we will find you and arrest you.
“We are often asked why we only do these checks for drink and drug driving over the Christmas period. That’s simply not the case. Our officers target this type of offending all year round. Christmas is simply one of two peaks we’ve historically seen, the other falling in summer.
“I want to reassure the public that we will continue to relentlessly detect and arrest drink/drug drivers with all the powers available to us as police officers. One more drug/drink-related death or serious injury on our roads is simply too many.
“This December, there have been three fatalities and nine life-changing or life-threatening collisions on Lancashire’s roads – five of those, almost half, are being investigated for impaired driving.
"That’s five families that have been devastated this Christmas which were completely avoidable. Enough is enough. Think before you drive.”
Clive Grunshaw, the Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “Every year, I'm shocked and disappointed to see the number of people that selfishly get behind the wheel of a car whilst impaired.
"Drink or drug driving is unacceptable, but sadly it’s clear that too many people choose to ignore the dangers that come with it and put lives at risk. Whilst this is a particular concern around the festive period, we know it is a problem that requires strong enforcement all-year round.
“It's a selfish choice to make, and I am pleased to the see the proactive approach taken by Lancashire Constabulary and it is welcome that whilst these numbers are shocking, it is lower than last year's Op Limit enforcement.
“But one person putting themselves and others in danger is one too many, and I will continue to work closely with the Constabulary and support targeted operations like Op Limit to arrest offenders and keep Lancashire’s roads safe.”
If you witness a drink or drug driver, you can report them to Lancashire Police anonymously via their online form or to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.
If the person is about to drive, always call 999.
Your call could save lives.
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