Police are urging drivers in Wells to see in the New Year in

safely by not taking the wheel after drinking alcohol.

But they have praised drivers for heeding their

warnings so far not to drink and drive over the festive period – when more

people attend family and work parties and are encouraged to drink alcohol.

However since December 1st,  police have arrested 132 motorists across the

whole county following more than 28,000 Operation Tonic stop checks across the

force area.

With the operation winding up this weekend the

number of arrests is expected to be an eight-year low.

Last year 202 drivers were arrested for drink/drug

driving, which represented a significant reduction on the 329 drivers who were

arrested in 2002.

Chief Inspector Polly King said: "We have

been extremely encouraged by this year's drink/drug driving figures. Around

28,000 drivers have been stopped during the force-wide operation - which started

on December 1 -and have been given an advisory leaflet and fewer than 150 have

been arrested.

"We are glad to see that drivers are heeding

our advice and not drinking or taking drugs – even prescription drugs – before

they drive. This is to be commended but people must not be complacent.

"New Year's Eve is potentially another drink

drive hot spot period as people see in the New Year. People need to be aware

that even if they do not drive on New Year's Eve, that by drinking for a long

period later into the night or early into New Year's Day, they could be over

the drink drive limit that morning," said CI King.

The police have confirmed that while the Operation

Tonic drink/drug campaign finishes this weekend, the police will remain

relentless in tracking down those who drink/drug drive.

CI King declared: "Our New Year message is

don't drink and drive…."

Drivers in the 17-25 year age group are also being

warned.

CI King added: "This year a worrying trend

has continued with young drivers drinking and driving. Around one third of

those arrested this year have been in the 17-25 year age group.

"There are no excuses for anyone of any age

to be driving under the influence of drink or drugs. We are particularly

concerned that there appears to be hardcore of new younger drivers who are

being stopped for drink driving."