THE number of drink drivers has increased in the first fortnight of the police’s summer crackdown.

A total of 40 drivers were arrested compared with 14 last year in the drink and drug driving campaign.

Chief Insp Bob Nichols, who is head of Dorset Police’s traffic unit, said: “It is disappointing that the number of arrests we have made during the summer drink drive campaign so far has increased compared to last year.”

He added: “The 40 drivers that have been arrested so far during the campaign will, if convicted, face at least a 12-month driving ban.

“The dangers of drinking and driving are highlighted by the fact that 20 per cent of the drivers arrested were involved in collisions.”

The month-long national campaign runs throughout June, with every motorist involved in a collision being breath tested – irrespective of whether they are suspected of drink driving or otherwise.

The results showed that a 16 of the 40 people arrests were aged under 30.

Some 33 men and seven women have been arrested so far.