Out of more than 2,000 drivers who took road side breath tests around the county between December 1 and January 1, 65 - or 3.2 per cent - were found to be driving with excess alcohol. This compares with four per cent the previous year.

Nationally, five per cent of drivers tested positive during the one-month campaign.

But the figures for those tested after being involved in a collision in Warwickshire were much higher, with 15 out of 235 - or 6.4 per cent - found to have been driving over the limit.

Chief Insp Chris Lewis of Warwickshire Police was encouraged by the overall figures, but he said: "The number of people who were involved in collisions and then gave positive breath tests was double the county average. If people think they can drink and drive, this clearly shows they can't.

"They may not think it, but these motorists are the lucky ones - they could easily have been seriously injured or killed, or could have injured or killed their passengers or other road users."

He added: "While we are pleased with the results from the December campaign, motorists should be aware that avoiding drinking and driving is not just something to think about at Christmas. The police will continue to crack down on drinking and driving throughout the year.

"The message remains the same - if you drink and drive you are gambling with your life, with the lives of your friends and relatives in the car and with the lives of everyone else using the road."