DRINK-DRIVING levels have rocketed in north and west Wiltshire with young drivers taking over as the worst offenders.

From April to October drink-drivers made up one in every 10 people arrested, with nearly double the number of positive tests compared to the same six-month period last year.

Altogether 182 drivers were charged and appeared before magistrates from April 1-October 31, compared to 131 last year.

Insp Cavan Moroney said he was shocked by the statistics, which revealed a rise in the number of offenders in the 17 to 24-year-old bracket, and vowed the division's 300 officers would focus on cracking the problem.

"We thought we had changed attitudes but the group we are having a problem with is definitely the younger drivers. They are over-represented in the figures," he said.

"I am quite surprised the rate we have been catching people this year. I have sent out a message to all of the division's police officers to focus on drink-driving over Christmas."

Countywide one in six drivers breathtested this year was over the drink-drive limit. Out of 6,000 drivers stopped, 1,100 either notched-up alcohol levels above the legal limit or refused to provide breath samples.

The law says that to drive legally, breath-alcohol levels should be under 35mg per 100ml, while blood-alcohol levels must be below 80mg per 100ml.

A survey by road safety charity Brake has helped galvanise mounting concern, with half of drivers quizzed admitting to drinking booze before driving.

One in three drivers polled said they had driven after drinking two units of alcohol, while one in 10 had up to three units before getting behind the wheel.

The bad news comes just days before Wiltshire traffic officers kick-start their festive blitz on drink-drivers.

To support the police in hammering home the message the Wiltshire Times and Chippenham News is relaunching its Shame a Drink Driver campaign, backed by west Wiltshire pub landlords, road safety groups and west Wiltshire MP Dr Andrew Murrison.

This year in addition to publishing the names and pictures of drivers who break the law we are appealing for people to help police catch offenders by shopping a drink-driver.

By reporting a suspected drink-driver to police, or anonymously to Crimestoppers, we can all tighten the net on the hardcore drivers who have reckless disregard for public safety.

Wiltshire Times editor Toby Granville said: "Since our campaign was launched we have named and shamed nearly 100 drivers.

"This proves drink-drivers continue to pose a menace to innocent motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. By naming and shaming we want to deter people from taking the risk and we believe by shopping a drink-driver we can do more to cut the number of injury and fatal collisions in west and north Wiltshire."

Sgt Dave Melvin said officers were keen to hit home the message that even one drink could be one too many.

"All too often, after someone has been seriously injured or killed drivers fail breath tests and upon being arrested, say 'I only had a couple I thought I would be okay'.

"They clearly regret their actions but by then it is too late. It just isn't worth it and our plea is don't risk it."

To shop a drink-driver you can call Crimestoppers free on 0800 555 111 or Wiltshire police control room on (01225) 763101. If you see someone about to drink-drive contact the control room immediately.