POLICE arrested 146 people for drink and drug driving in Avon and Somerset this Christmas.

Of those arrested, 78 people have been charged and a further 40 have been released under investigation.

The highest reading recorded during the campaign was 151 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 ml of breath – more than four times the legal limit of 35 mg, said an Avon and Somerset Police spokesman.

The 2017 figures were a significant drop on the 2016 operation, when there were 184 arrests and 117 charged.

Supt Andy Williams said: “The people arrested during the run-up to Christmas chose to drive while intoxicated and were acting in an incredibly selfish and reckless manner. The vast majority of those arrested were over 30 years old and this could be a product of our work with young people in ensuring the next generation stay safe on the road.

“We always promote education over prosecution where possible and use a combination of these to tackle drink-driving.”