IT beggars belief. Despite all the campaigns and shock adverts, more than 100 motorists were arrested for drink-driving over the Christmas period in North Yorkshire.

Deputy Chief Constable Tim Madgwick tells us he finds it “staggering” and is “extremely frustrated” that so many people decided it was acceptable to take to the wheel while under the influence.

We agree. Risking your own safety is one thing, but nobody has the right to put other people’s lives at risk in such a manner. The real concern is that the well publicised dangers of drinking and driving are still not understood by some. And these are ordinary people, not criminals.

So what can be done? Campaigns clearly have only a limited impact, but short of banning cars outright, we see no possibility of reducing this worrying number of arrests.

There is some cause for optimism. The number of arrests is down slightly from last year, despite an almost 25 per cent increase in breath tests.

But this is scant consolation. As Mr Madgwick says, this is an extremely frustrating situation.