MOTORISTS who are tempted to drink and drive this Christmas have been warned to reconsider after a police operation saw 22 people from the Bradford district arrested for being over the limit.

In total 158 people across the country were caught in West Yorkshire Police's "Not The Usual Suspects" campaign, which has been running since the start of the month.

Of those, 33 were for drug driving.

Fifty eight per cent of people stopped have since been charged.

The campaign was set up to remind people that anyone, regardless of their age, gender or background could be a drink driver, and even a few festive tipples over Christmas Dinner could leave them over the limit.

A further 10 people from Calderdale have been arrested in the campaign, 16 from Kirklees, 26 from Leeds and 17 from Wakefield.

Police Sergeant Gary Roper of the Roads Policing Support Unit Said; “Three weeks in to the campaign, we have seen over 150 motorists arrested, with 33 of those for drug driving offences.

“As we head in to the Christmas weekend I would remind people to consider their travelling arrangements if they are out and about and not to drink or drug drive.

“No one wants an officer on their doorstep telling them their loved one is never coming home, especially not due to a drink or drug driver.

“Our message remains the same as before. If you are out and about this Christmas, assign a designated driver, book a taxi or use public transport to get home. Don’t get behind the wheel after drinking alcohol or taking drugs. The results could be life changing for you, your passengers or other road users around you.

“We would much rather people didn’t get behind the wheel after drinking alcohol or consuming drugs, however we have teams of officers policing the county to arrest those that do. The likelihood is that if you do drink or take drugs and drive this December, there is a very good chance you will be stopped by the police and action taken against you.

“I continue to urge people to consider the very real, and often devastating consequences of drink or drug driving, and for them to think again. It quite simply isn’t worth the risk.

“We want everyone travelling on our roads this Christmas to be safe. The consequences of drink or drug driving could be devastating. Do the right thing, and don’t drink or drug drive.”