The campaign ran between Thursday, December 1 and Saturday, December 31, during which time officers conducted breath tests on drivers across the county to reduce the number of people driving while under the influence of alcohol.

Officers administered 656 breath tests and of those,115 people (17.5 per cent) gave a positive test, the driver refused to take the test or the driver failed to provide a sample.

During the 2009 campaign, officers conducted 1,011 breath tests and of those, 121 people (or 11 per cent) gave a positive test, the driver refused to take the test or the driver failed to provide a sample.

Chief Inspector Steve Wilson said: “Our campaign was very much intelligence-led, allowing us to target drivers who persistently drink-drive rather than conducting mass-testing.

“We received ten pieces of information from Crimestoppers about drink-drivers and several people contacted police directly to pass on details of drivers they believed were drinking before getting behind the wheel.

“I want to thank everyone who came forward with information and I hope these figures show that we take drink-driving seriously.”

Chief Insp Wilson said he was disappointed that so many people failed breath tests during the campaign. He added: “I am dismayed that so many people disregarded police advice and flouted the law by drink-driving and posing a risk to other road users.

“Some people may feel that it is not a serious offence. But just ask those who go on to lose their licences, get a criminal conviction and possibly lose their jobs how serious an offence it is.”

A call was received about a suspected drunk driver on December 27. Police stopped the man in Ilkeston and he was breathalysed. The 21-year-old gave a positive test and was arrested and later charged.

Police received a call about a suspected drunk driver in Whaley Bridge on December 23. The 20-year-old woman was stopped and breathalysed. She gave a positive test and was arrested and later charged.

Throughout December, the Derby and Derbyshire Road Safety Partnership encouraged people not to drink and drive. Adverts highlighting the dangers of drink driving featured in newspapers, on the radio and in pubs.