MORE than 97 per cent of Merseyside motorists obeyed the law and drove responsibly over Christmas say the police.

Throughout December officers carried out 9152 breath tests arrested 198 people for drink or drug related offences.

Chief Inspector John Hogan said: "We know that the majority of drivers on our roads drive responsibly and these results show that drivers are recognising the risk that driving while under the influence poses to themselves and other road users.

"Of the 9152 drivers stopped, just 2.6 per cent went on to fail the test and were arrested. However small this percentage is, it is still disappointing that a minority of drivers continue to put themselves and others at risk by drinking or taking drugs and driving. Our message goes beyond Christmas - don't drink or take drugs and drive. Throughout 2014, we will continue to use an intelligence-led approach to stop drink drivers by using information provided by the public and targeting key locations and key times of the day and night.

"We are determined to do all we can to make our roads safer and I urge drivers to continue to play their part by not drink or drug driving."

Figures also show that during the Christmas period, there was a fall in road traffic collisions with 425 incidents in 2012 compared with 398 this year, a reduction of 6.3 per cent.

Although Merseyside Police holds dedicated drink and drug drive campaigns at key times, officers' conduct breath and impairment tests continually throughout the year.

Any driver involved in a road traffic collision, or who commits any traffic offences, can expect to be breathalysed and may be required to perform an impairment test. Should they fail these tests the penalties can be severe.