THE amount of drivers getting behind the wheel while over the drink-drive limit in Worcestershire and throughout West Mercia has fallen slightly over the past year.

Throughout June West Mercia and Warwickshire Police as well as Warwickshire County Council teamed up with the Safer Roads Partnership to crack down on people driving while under the influence of drink or drugs in the area.

Incidences of drink and drug driving traditionally increase during the summer and especially during events such as the World Cup.

But out of the 2,777 breath tests carried out as part of the Kick Drink Drive campaign, only 6.5 per cent of drivers tested positive for drink or drugs, down from seven per cent in June 2013.

Over the past three years 103 people have been killed or seriously injured in West Mercia in drink or drug driving incidents.

Safer Roads Partnership communications manager Vicki Bristow welcomed the figures.

“It’s encouraging that the percentage of those testing positive for drink or drugs is steadily falling, especially over the sunny weather and World Cup period, but there is still work to be done,” she said.

“Further analysis is being done on the data we have collected to see what areas need to be focused on for further campaigns.

“Our message is simple and continues to be ‘Don’t drink and drive – it’s not worth the risk’.”

Head of Warwickshire and West Mercia Police’s force operations department Superintendant Lee Davenport said cracking down on irresponsible drivers remained a commitment for both forces all year round.

“Our figures are encouraging but there is work still to be done and despite our many warnings about not driving if you’ve had a drink there are still far too many irresponsible drivers ignoring the devastating consequences that drinking and driving can cause for them, their family, friends and other road users,” he said.

“Anyone who drives after they have been drinking is gambling not only with their own lives, but also with the lives of their passengers and the lives of other road users.

“Enforcing the drink driving law is a year round, 24 hours a day, seven days a week activity for Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police and will continue to be a priority throughout the rest of 2014.”

To report a driver under the influence of drink or drugs call 101 or 999 in an emergency.