Nearly 4,000 people have been caught drink driving so far this year in the North, according to new data released today.
The figures were released as the PSNI deployed new breath testing technology as part of their Christmas clampdown on alcohol abuse
The new breath test kit indicates whether a driver has passed or failed, with a series of red, amber and green indicator lights, but the latest Home Office-approved units also display the alcohol level detected on screen,
downloading the data to a central computer system.
"During our winter campaign last year, 629 people were arrested for drink driving, said assistant chief constable of the PSNI, Roy Toner.
"To date this year, over 3,800 people have been detected drink driving. These figures are frightening. Each of these drink drivers is a potential killer.
Mr Toner said officers in District Command Units, specialist Tactical Support Groups and officers from Road Policing Command Units across Northern Ireland will be running a series of operations throughout day and night, in the weeks leading up to Christmas and into the New Year, to catch drink drivers.
PA