ESSEX Police has welcomed a fall in the number of drink-drivers on the county's roads but said a “significant proportion” were still flouting the law. The force's traditional Christmas campaign appears to have been effective with the number of motorists testing positive falling from 3.

ESSEX Police has welcomed a fall in the number of drink-drivers on the county's roads but said a “significant proportion” were still flouting the law.

The force's traditional Christmas campaign appears to have been effective with the number of motorists testing positive falling from 3.3% compared to 2.5% a year ago.

The figures come at the halfway stage of the operation which has already seen more than 4,000 tests carried out by officers, with 106 drivers providing a positive reading.

Road policing inspector Simon Morgan said the majority of people understood the dangers involved but added some were simply not getting the message.

He said: “At this time of the year, people will drink a lot in the evenings and the body will still be dealing with the effects the following morning.

“These figures show that we, as a force, are doing everything we can to clamp out this menace in society, but as ever a significant proportion of drivers are choosing to ignore our pleas to be sensible and responsible.

“On the face of it, the figures do look promising. However, it is still all too easy to find drink-drivers on our roads and it is this persistent core of the motoring community who we are trying to educate.”

Of the 4,306 tests carried out by road policing officers and those on division, 106 provided a positive breath specimen and a further 10 motorists were arrested after failing or refusing to provide a specimen.

Meanwhile an Essex doctor has warned revellers to be wary of the dangers of being over the limit for driving the morning after a night boozing.

Dr Paul Rasor, a Colchester GP, said: “If people are going out drinking, it is advisable to eat beforehand or at least drink a glass of milk or water before they go.

“People should also alternate alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, set a sensible drinking limit and stick to it, keep a taxi fare home and agree that someone in the group should be nominated to stay sober to watch out for dangers and drinks being spiked.

“Those who feel unwell the day after drinking too much alcohol are advised to drink lots of water and eat as soon as they can. Remember not to drive as your alcohol level may still be over the legal limit.”

n A divisional breakdown for the road policing units in the area covered by the EADT was:

Stanway Road Policing Unit - 662 motorists stopped, 13 provided a positive specimen.

Bocking Road Policing Unit - 321 motorists stopped, 4 provided a positive specimen.

Chelmsford Road Policing Unit - 1,030 motorists stopped, 17 provided a positive specimen.