MOTORISTS throughout Avon and Somerset seem to have heeded the warnings about the dangers of drink driving during the festive holiday period - with those living in the Yeovil area having taken on the message most of all.

Just 17 people in the Somerset East police district - which covers Yeovil - were arrested for drink-driving. This was the lowest in all of the police districts with the highest being in the Somerset West district - which covers Taunton - being the worst with 45.

The number of drink drive arrests in Avon and Somerset was down on last year and there was not a single serious or fatal road traffic collision during December in which alcohol was a contributory factor.

An estimated 10,000 drivers were stop-checked throughout the force area during the seasonal Operation Tonic campaign. As a result, 262 motorists were arrested for alcohol-related offences - a significant decrease on last year's figure of 329.

Superintendent Lawrie Lewis, head of the force's Road Policing Unit, welcomed the results of the latest Operation Tonic initiative.

"Our objective to reduce drink-related casualties on our roads during the festive season has been achieved," he said.

"This, together with the reduction in the number of motorists arrested, indicates that our message about the dangers of drink driving is definitely starting to get through.

"However, the fact that 262 people still ignored the warnings and chose to recklessly risk their own lives and the lives of other road users is disappointing."

Members of the public who provided information to the anonymous Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555 111 were praised for their assistance.

Supt Lewis added: "We are grateful for the number of calls received through the Crimestoppers system giving us detailed information about the habits of persistent drink drivers.

"The prevention and detection of drink driving is a high priority throughout the year for the force and the calls we receive indicate that the public share our concerns.

"The information we have received on those individuals will receive our continued attention over the coming weeks."

Operation Tonic focussed attention on identified drink-drive and crime hot spots. Officers provided crime prevention advice and road safety information by handing out packs to those stopped.

Of the 262 motorists arrested, 229 were for providing a positive specimen of breath, 11 for refusing to provide a breath test and 22 for being found drunk in charge of a motor vehicle. Of those, 179 people have been charged or are on police bail and could still face prosecution.

In the Yeovil area there were 17 arrests for being over the limit and four for refusing to provide a breath test - a total of just 21 arrests over the Christmas clampdown. That figure was only bettered in Avon and Somerset's South Bristol where there just 19 arrests.