Drink driving offences in Northern Ireland are up by 25 per cent during the first 11 days of this year's Christmas safe motoring campaign.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland revealed today 138 motorists have revealed alcohol over the legal limit at checkpoints, including those who were unfit to drive, or were unable or refused to give a sample.
Superintendent Ian Hamill, head of the Road Policing Development Branch, said: "So far, 710 motorists have been breath tested. While we have tested more drivers than ever before, it is disappointing that so many continue to ignore all the advice and warnings given and disregard the wishes of the vast majority of people in Northern Ireland. This situation is just not acceptable to the police or the community they serve."
Northern Ireland Environment Minister, Mr Sam Foster, welcomed the tough police enforcement on drink driving.
"Enforcement has got to be tough. Drink drivers must be brought before the courts and made to face the full rigours of the law. Drink driving is a shameful activity. It will not be tolerated by society," he said.
Some 34 of the drivers were detected following collisions. Superintendent Hamill revealed 12 of the drivers detected were more than three times the legal limit. Two were almost five times the limit.