The season of goodwill, festive cheer and Christmas parties is upon us.

For motorists, it is also the season of Christmas drink driving campaigns, increased vigilance, and an increased police presence on the roads of Yorkshire.

In December last year, police carried out almost 3000 breath tests in North Yorkshire, almost 900 more than in the previous year. 3.4% of those tested, a total of 103 motorists, were arrested.

A further analysis of the statistics in Yorkshire reveals that most were arrested between the hours of midnight and 1am on a Sunday. The most common age range for those arrested is 25 to 34, whilst national statistics show that about 17% of failures are ‘morning after’ drivers of a diverse age range.

The annual campaign to prevent drink and drug driving in North Yorkshire, which launched on December 1 this year will see details about arrests made public on the police website. This year's campaign, christened Operation Attention, will see officers equipped with roadside drug testing kits alongside standard breathalysers, both of which provide instant results.

To keep up to date with the arrests and prosecutions under Operation Attention, the public can go to northyorkshire.police.uk/opattention.

On December 1 , South Yorkshire Police launched its Christmas drink drive campaign, which will see a series of posters and radio adverts being used across South Yorkshire to emphasise the lasting consequences that drinking alcohol can have, urging would-be offenders to have #noregrets in the festive season.

The campaign launch focusses on drink driving and the drastic damage it can have, not only on the life of the person convicted, but the devastating consequences of their actions on other road users.

In West Yorkshire, Police are supporting this year's national Christmas drink driving campaign by encouraging the public to ‘Dob in a Drink/Drug Driver this Christmas.’

'It's not worth the risk' is the message behind the festive crackdown, which will see West Yorkshire Police asking the public to contact them about people they see, or know to either drink or take drugs, before getting behind the wheel.

There is no excuse for driving over the limit, but not everyone who is arrested and charged is convicted when their case goes to court. I fully agree that those found guilty should have their names published, but it is unfair to those who are found not guilty.

For further help or advice, contact Jeremy Scott on 07971 520407 or email Jeremy.scott@lf-dt.com.