MORE than 12,000 drivers were stopped and breathalysed as part of Gwent Police's month long campaign targeting drink drivers, new figures show.

Figures released yesterday show that as part of the Christmas campaign in December, 12,022 motorists were stopped and 95 failed the test or refused to take it.

Gwent Roads Policing Chief Inspector, John Pavett said: “It is very disappointing to see that 95 people are still willing to risk their lives and those of other road users by choosing to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.”

As part of the all Wales Drink Drive campaign 2010, more than 40,000 drivers were stopped and breathalysed between December 1 and January 1.

Dyfed Powys tested 11,269 people, 139 were positive, in North Wales, officers got 90 positive results from 9,068 tests and South Wales Police stopped 7,905 drivers, yielding 254 positive tests.

Chief Constable Mick Giannasi, who heads the Association of Chief Police Officers roads policing, added: “The end of the campaign definitely does not mean the end of police vigilance to catch those who continue to flout the law however and drink and drive. We will continue in our efforts to make the roads safer for all users.

“Alcohol and drugs can impair your ability to judge speed and distances, reduce concentration and delay reaction speed. Worst of all it can kill, and that’s a life sentence no-one would want to live with.”

In the 2009 campaign, Gwent Police tested 20,578 drivers, 80 of whom failed or refused the test.

EDITORIAL COMMENT: Drink-drive push is working

THE CHRISTMAS and New Year drink drive campaign seems to have resulted in a remarkably small number of positive tests in this area.

This at least shows things are heading in the right direction.

We can all throw up our hands about the 95 individuals who were caught breaking the drink drive law during the Christmas campaign, but the fact is, they represented a fraction of one per cent of the numbers of people tested.

It is encouraging that people here seem to be getting the message that drinking and driving is just not worth it, and that has to be welcome.

The mere fact of the annual Christmas drink drive crackdown is obviously acting as a deterrent.

When it is also taken into account that Gwent Police targeted more drivers here than any other force in Wales, 12,022 to South Wales police force's 7,905, it also shows that police here have a determination to deal with this problem.

There is no doubt that a particular emphasis is placed here on catching drink drivers and the fact that a relatively small number of people tested positive shows that the approach is working.

If the mere presence of the campaign itself acts as a deterrent, then it has to be worth it.