WEST Mercia police's examination of 1,600 vehicles and drivers before Christmas resulted in 22 people facing court action.

Another 27 motorists were given fixed penalty charges ranging from £30-£60 because of the poor condition of their vehicle and 41 people were given two weeks to correct minor faults.

Some motorists failed to belt-up - even when they saw the roadside check ahead.

But police have revealed the number of people giving positive breath tests after collisions fell by half over Christmas and New Year.

Of 328 motorists breathalysed, 26, or 7.9 per cent, proved positive or refused to give a sample.

Last year, 14.1 per cent proved positive.