A SHOCKING rise in drink-driving figures over Christmas has spelled out how many people are still prepared to put lives at risk.

The number of arrests during Dorset’s seasonal crackdown rose by almost 50 per cent compared with last year.

Traffic officers have branded the statistics “extremely disappointing”.

The sister of one Dorset man killed by a drink-driver has branded the figures “disgusting” – and said deaths caused by drink-driving should be considered murders.

There were 133 people arrested during the seasonal campaign, which ran from December 1 to January 1 – up 48 per cent on last year’s figure of 90.

Of those arrested, 113 were men, and 45 were men under 30.

Thirty-one drivers were arrested after being involved in collisions.

Traffic inspector Matt Butler said: “It is extremely disappointing that so many drivers risked their lives, and the lives of other road users, by choosing to drink and drive over the festive season.

“The number of Christmas drink and drug driving arrests has decreased year-on-year since 2006, so this increase is clearly disappointing.

“It is particularly concerning to see that the number of young drivers arrested during the campaign is so high. Of all the drivers arrested during the campaign, 43 per cent were under the age of 30.”

Joan Dickinson lost her brother Dennis Watts, 56, from Bere Regis, after an articulated lorry driven by Didier Andre Gillis ploughed into his tractor on the A35 Puddletown bypass in April 2009.

Gillis was jailed for six years over the death of the grandfather.

Mrs Dickinson said: “The fact that so many people chose to drink and drive is disgusting. It's ludicrous that people take lives into their own hands like this.

“If you get behind the wheel when you're over the limit and you kill someone then to me that's murder.”

She added: “I admire how many people the police have caught. It's amazing how brilliant they are to catch that many.”

A rise in drink driving offences

Number of people arrested during Dorset Police’s annual campaign.

2011 – 133

2010 – 90

2009 – 103

2008 – 134

2007 – 173

2006 – 204

The Christmas crackdown

THE Christmas drink-driving campaign saw an increase in traffic patrols and roadside checks.

Every driver involved in a collision was breathalysed. Police also responded to information from the public to intercept suspected drink-drivers.

Insp Butler added: “I’d like to thank everyone that contacted Dorset Police to report a suspected drink-driver.

“I’d encourage the public to continue to inform us by dialling 999 if they believe someone is driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

“Four of the 18 fatalities that have occurred on Dorset’s roads over the past year were drink or drug-driving related, which shows just how dangerous it is to get behind the wheel when you’re under the influence.”

Officers from the No Excuse project supported the drink-driving campaign and made a number of arrests.