ESSEX Police arrested 280 people on suspicion of drink or drug-driving or for failing to provide a specimen over the festive period.

Roads policing officers also conducted 1,216 breath tests during December.

In 2019 403 people were arrested for drink or drug.

Police Inspector Matt Crow said: “While it looks as though our message is hitting home with many people, I am concerned that the number of motorists arrested on suspicion of drink-driving is slightly up on the year before.

“Sadly, some people still think it is OK to endanger not only their own safety but that of other road-users and pedestrians. One person driving while drunk or under the influence of drugs is one too many.

“Driving under the influence affects your ability and reaction times which, in turn, can cause crashes, sometimes with fatal results.

“And the consequences can be devastating for everyone involved.”

Motorists who are arrested and convicted, in serious cases, face a jail term or lose their driving licence.

Inspector Crow added: “Some motorists still don’t realise they can be over the drink-drive limit the day after a night out or even that there is a drug-driving limit and you can test positive for drugs days after you last took them.”