More than 5,000 drivers have been stopped and breath-tested on Essex roads since the start of December - and three per cent were over the limit.

A police statement said of 5,702 breath tests carried out between December 1 and December 18th,182 were positive - 3.7 per cent of the total number.

Last year, out of 5,744 motorists stopped between December 1 and December 15, 123 were over the limit.

Figures this year show 27 refused to provide a specimen of breath or blood, while 15 arrests were made for driving while unfit due to alcohol or drugs.

A spokesman said 662 of these tests were carried out as a result of accidents where 221 caused minor injuries.

In these cases 44 drivers tested positive - 6.6 per cent.

Inspector Simon Morgan, of Essex Police road traffic unit, said: "I am pleased the proportion of positive tests is low but disappointed there are still drivers prepared to drink and drive.

"The proportion of positive tests after collision is particularly disappointing," he added.

South Essex: Our drivers top county drink test

Brought to you by the Evening Echo

Police have announced that motorists in south Essex were among the worst drink-drive offenders in the county with 4.1 per cent of drivers stopped testing positive - compared with three per cent on the 5,702 drivers tested countywide.

In the Southend, Rayleigh, Basildon and Castle Point divisions, 1,488 drivers were tested during a police clampdown between December 1, and December 18.

Figures show Southend officers stopped and tested 203 drivers of which 15 proved positive, four refused and one was unfit through alcohol or drugs.

Rayleigh officers, covering Castle Point, tested 179 drivers with eight testing positive and one unfit. A 54-year-old woman cleaner is due before the courts on Thursday after testing almost four times the drink-drive limit.

Police in Basildon pulled over 164 drivers and found eight were over the limit, two refused to be tested and one was unfit.

The southern road policing unit, covering south Essex, stopped 942 motorists with tests showing 31 were over the limit, three refused and three were unfit due to alcohol or drugs.

Insp Alan Jelley, of Laindon road policing unit, said: "I am concerned we have a higher percentage of drink-drivers in southern Essex than the rest of the county. It does concern me people are obviously still prepared to drink and drive despite the publicity campaigns warning of the consequences.

"I would advise all drivers to heed warning. Those who drink-drive could find themselves in court before Christmas with a fine and ban from driving for at least a year. They could lose their jobs and watch their family collapse around them."

An Essex Police spokesman said 662 of the tests were carried out as a result of accidents where 221 resulted in minor personal injuries.

In these cases 44 drivers tested positive - 6.6 per cent.

Most of the drivers caught during the tests will be dealt with in the court's new fast track system which brings offenders before the courts within days

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