West Yorkshire Police stopped nearly a third more motorists during the Christmas drink and drugs driving campaign, with a slight increase in the number of positive breath tests.

The month-long crackdown in the county saw more than 1,800 drivers stopped by police, compared to 1,400 the previous year.

The December campaign resulted in 275 drivers either failing the breath test or refusing to provide a sample, with 133 charged with driving under the influence of drink or drugs.

Of those, 39 have already been dealt with by the courts with all receiving at least a 12-month driving ban.

Last year a total of 1,417 drivers were tested, with 188 refusing or proving positive.

One successful conviction this year saw a Bradford man given a three year driving ban.

The 30-year-old, of Odsal, was stopped by Roads Policing Officers when they saw his vehicle being driven erratically in early December. When they spoke to him he smelled strongly of alcohol and he was arrested on suspicion of driving while unfit.

He was more than four and a half times over the legal limit and was charged with drink driving and appeared at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates’ Court, where he was convicted and given a three year driving ban and ordered to carry out 120 hours of community work, as well as paying costs of £145.

Chief Inspector Neil Hunter, head of Roads Policing for West Yorkshire Police, said: “These figures show that we are stopping more people than ever on suspicion of driving whilst unfit – whether through drink or drugs.

“The message to motorists who are ignoring our warnings is that we are targeting drink or drug driving offenders across West Yorkshire 24 hours a day, seven days a week and not just during the Christmas period.

“Dealing with drink and drugs driving is a continuing high priority to reduce casualties and improve road safety. Anyone breaking these laws will not be tolerated and those caught could face a prison sentence.”