It's good news on the anti drink drive front with Essex Police's figures showing a slight drop compared to last year.

Over all, 13,231 people were tested. Of these, 301 were positive, an average of 2.3 per cent compared to last year's average of 3 per cent.

Fewer people gave positive breath tests at the scene of road accidents - 1,266 people were tested at the scene of road accidents, with 49 giving a positive test, an average of 3.9 per cent. This compares to last year's figure of 5.9 per cent.

In Harlow division, which covers Brentwood, 465 people were tested, with 27 found positive. Tests after traffic accidents found just four positive verdicts, out of 26.

In the Brentwood Traffic Division there were 1,318 tests, 15 of which were positive. Again, 216 people were tested after accidents, with just four found to be over the limit.

Across the county, 317 people were arrested, compared to 367 last year. Despite the drop in positive tests, a small number of drivers gave very high readings - 18 - who were breath tested gave readings of more than 100 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Acting Chief Insp Tony Rayner, from traffic headquarters said: "More breath tests were conducted than last year and fewer people were arrested. However we still arrested 317 people.

"Anyone who drinks and drives is a potential killer, and for every arrest many more will have evaded detection. Until the number of arrests falls dramatically we will not be winning this war.

"I take particular comfort from the significant reduction in both the real number and the percentage of positive tests at crashes. The whole campaign is about reducing death and injury caused by drinking and driving."

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