A SLIGHT drop in the number of people testing positive for drink driving has been reported by the Safer Roads Partnership in Warwickshire and West Mercia.

Partnership bosses say the overall percentage of positive breath tests decreased during their month-long winter drink drive campaign despite a record high for the number of people tested.

Figures also show a slight drop in the percentage of people providing a positive breath test after a crash.

Highways safety bosses say, in West Mercia, 143 people either refused to give a test or tested positive for drink or drugs in December 2013, just 3.8 per cent of those breathalysed compared to 4.4 per cent during the same period in 2012.

An additional 16 people either refused to give a test or tested positive for drink or drugs after a collision, just 1.5 per cent of the total tested following a crash compared to 3 per cent over the same period in 2012.

Vicki Bristow, Safer Roads Partnership communications manager, said: “Although the percentage drop isn’t large, it’s encouraging that the number of positive breath tests we are seeing overall and after collisions is steadily reducing however, there are still a significant number of motorists ignoring the simple message that drinking or taking drugs and driving ruins lives.

"It’s worrying that there are still motorists out there that think they can risk having a drink and driving. Our simple message to them is it’s not worth it - driving after drinking or taking drugs will continue to be a focus over this year to ensure Warwickshire’s and West Mercia’s roads become safer for all."

Superintendent Lee Davenport, of Warwickshire and West Mercia Police, added: "Overall Warwickshire and West Mercia Police conducted 6,275 breath tests throughout December; this was an increase on previous years and shows commitment from both forces to tackling this problem to bring down the number of positive tests even further.

"Our figures show we are moving in the right direction but enforcing the drink driving law is a year round activity for Warwickshire and West Mercia Police and will continue to be a priority throughout 2014.”

Figures for Worcestershire show over the past three years 33 people died or were seriously injured after collisions where drink or drugs were recorded as a contributory factor.