MORE than 200 motorists were arrested across Merseyside on suspicion of drink and drug-driving during a month-long summer campaign.

A total of 1995 breath tests were carried out during the four-week crackdown in June and 206 people arrested.

Of those, 97 were arrested for drink-drive offences such as failing a breath test or refusing to give one, and 109 tested positive for drugs such as cannabis or cocaine.

Of those arrested, 85% were male and 15% female with 67% aged 25-49. 

For those stopped for drug driving offences 95% were male and 5% female and 70% were in the 25-49 age range.

All arrested face a minimum 12-month driving ban and could be hit with a £5,000 fine by a magistrates court.

Inspector Keith Kellett, from the force's roads policing department said: "Hundreds of people are killed every year in this country because of drink and drug drivers.

"These incidents cause devastation to so many people yet could have been avoided if the motorist had chosen not to get behind the wheel while under the influence.

"Drink and drug driving is a serious offence with serious consequences and that is why we carry out targeted campaigns like this in order to take offenders off the road and send out a clear message to others.

"But I don't want drivers to be complacent that they will no longer be caught because the summer campaign has finished.

"We will continue our efforts to educate the public and to highlight the risks of drink and drug driving and our enforcement activity will also continue throughout the year across Merseyside.

"The number of breath tests conducted this year was lower than last year as the campaign ran for four weeks and not the six weeks that it ran during last year's Euro football championship.

"We also saw a corresponding drop in the number of arrests, which we hope means that more drivers are taking heed of our road safety messages.

"During this campaign, many drivers were issued with a free, disposable breathalyser to test themselves the morning after drinking.

"Only three per cent of drivers were arrested during the morning peak times so perhaps they proved useful in showing people how they can still be well over the limit after a night out.

"The vast majority we did stop, over 95%, passed the tests so we know it is only a minority of drivers who are behaving like this.

"It really isn't worth the risk of ruining your life and potentially the lives of others."