150 NABBED IN ALCOHOL CAMPAIGN.

Byline: By LUKE TRAYNOR

A CRACKDOWN on drink drivers has resulted in 150 motorists being arrested as part of a month-long campaign.

Police breath-tested 1,500 drivers after a series of roadside checks carried out on key routes at locations around Merseyside.

The 150 arrests represent a 4% drop compared with last year's figures and the police's three previous summer drink drive campaigns.

More than 3,200 drivers were stopped by officers during the crackdown.

Inspector Dave Bell, from Merseyside police traffic department, said: "Merseyside still remains below the national average in respect of the number of people arrested following breath tests.

"While lower arrest figures may suggest that fewer people are drinking and driving, we want this figure to drop more significantly and will maintain our strong resolve to catch drivers who drink and drive.

"With almost 150 arrests made during this campaign it is clear that there are still some drivers who consciously choose to put themselves and others at risk."

Prosecuted motorists could face a 12month ban, a fine of up to pounds 5,000 and up to six months in prison.

Inspector Bell added: "We are faced with two main types of drink drivers - those irresponsible drivers who will regularly flout the law, and those who will have a drink and feel they are able to calculate their own safe limit.

"But even a small amount of alcohol will impair judgement and general ability to drive safely