THE summer drink and drug-driving campaign supported by Wiltshire Police has been hailed a remarkable success.

The campaign was timed to coincide with the Euro 2016 football championships and encouraged members of the public to report drink or drug drivers.

Out of 334 vehicles stopped, 14.6 percent of drivers gave a positive breath test or failed to provide one.

New drug swipe equipment was used to administer roadside drugs tests to 16 of those stopped - of that number nine proved positive or failed to take the test.

Sergeant Gavin Brewster, of the Wiltshire Police Roads Safety Unit, said: “Using the intelligence received has helped us keep more drink and drug drivers off our roads this summer. And we are not letting up.

“Between June 6 and July 10 we administered 334 roadside breath tests and arrested 49 drivers who proved positive or failed to provide a breath test; 32 positive results were from people over the age of 25 and 17 were under 25.

“Out of these, 13 were due to a road traffic collision. The results should show drivers that if drivers run the gauntlet of driving under the influence of drink or drugs they will be caught.”

Wiltshire Police say they would also like to thank members of the public for calling in and working with them to help get drink and drug drivers off of the road.

Any driver who risks peoples’ lives by drink or drug driving can receive a fine of up to £5000, a minimum 12 month driving ban as well as a criminal record.

Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon, Angus Macpherson, said: “I would like to applaud Wiltshire Police for carrying out its summer campaign.

“The vast majority of motorists are well aware of the serious risks of driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs. But it is sad to note that a tiny minority seem to be oblivious of the harm they can cause to other road users, their passengers and themselves.

“People must understand that, if they flout the law in this irresponsible manner, they will face the prospect of arrest, prosecution, unwelcome publicity and more besides. It really is not worth taking that risk.”

Anyone who has concerns about someone they believe may be drink or drug driving is advised to call Wiltshire Police on 101, and select option 4 for the drink drive hotline giving as many details as possible such as the vehicle details and direction of travel.

Members of the public are asked to call 999 in an emergency where a driver is posing an imminent danger.

During the campaign the total number of breath tests administered was 334; the total number of positive breath tests/ arrests for positive or fail to provide was 49; the total number of positive/ fail to provide tests from RTC: was13; the total number of positives/fails of over 25s was 32; the total number of positives or fails of under 25s was 17.

Under Section 5A of specified drug stats the total number screened was 16 and total positive arrests/ fail to provide was nine.