BOLTON motorists appear to be heeding the "don't drink and drive" message, police chiefs have revealed.

Only four boozed-up drivers have so far been arrested - out of 827 stopped so far in random roadside checks.

But, with the office party season now in full swing, police chiefs are warning that the crackdown on drink driving will continue into the New Year.

The 827 drivers have been stopped on roads throughout Bolton since the annual crackdown on drink driving was launched on December 14.

Of that total, 81 were suspected of drink driving and were breath tested. Four were arrested for driving over the limit and now face court action. Figures reveal that 156 of the motorists tested were advised to carry out repairs to their cars and 19 were given "rectification certificates" ordering them to undertake the repairs within 10 days. Four were given fixed penalty notices and eight were arrested for other offences including two for disqualified driving and two for criminal offences.

Sgt Jim Unsworth, of the Bolton Police Traffic Unit, said the low number of drivers arrested for driving over the limit on the town's roads is "quite pleasing."

"The message seems to be getting across this year," said the traffic chief. "But we cannot be complacent. Our patrols and random checks of vehicles, both at night time and on the way to work the next day, will continue into the New Year."

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