MORE than a dozen drivers have been banned from the roads for a combined 28-years as part of North Yorkshire Police's drink drive crackdown.

Fifteen drivers arrested in June have already lost their licence after appearing at court.

They have been banned for a total of 28 years, which is likely to increase as more appear for sentence in the coming days.

They are among the 141 motorists arrested in June during Operation Attention – a month-long campaign to tackle a summer surge in drink and drug driving.

And although the campaign has ended, the police are warning motorists they are committed to catching offenders all year round.”

The longest ban so far was just over four years, given to a York woman who blew three times the legal drink drive limit.

So far, 64 people arrested during the campaign have been charged with drink or drug driving offences.

More are likely to be charged in the coming weeks as police await blood test results and other evidence.

Roads Policing Sergeant Andy Morton said: “Our push to tackle a summertime surge in drink and drug driving has once again yielded some shocking results.

“The fact some people still think it’s acceptable to drive when they’re several times over the drink drive limit is, frankly, staggering.

“However, fortunately the courts take a similarly dim view. As we continue to catch drink and drug drivers all year round, the courts will continue to hand out lengthy bans, fines and community orders.

“If you drive under the influence, you’re an idiot.

"If you don’t do it and don’t like people putting lives in danger, tell us about it.

"Call us on 101 to pass on information about people who drink or do drugs then drive."

Well over 500 breath tests were conducted during the campaign period.

Men were once again disproportionately represented in the statistics, with 82 per cent of arrests being males.