Published Tuesday, 20 December 2011
A total of 250 drink-drivers were caught across Northern Ireland between 25 November and 18 December, with one person four-and-a-half times over the legal limit.
Two others were four times over the limit, while ten were three times over the limit.
Head of Road Policing, PSNI Superintendent Muir Clarke, said he was "shocked and extremely disappointed" by the figures.
"Despite our warnings, there are still people who completely disregard the safety of themselves and others by continuing this shameful and incredibly dangerous practice," he said.
"Every year across Northern Ireland, drinking and driving kills, maims and wrecks families - police will not tolerate people who insist on driving after having taken drugs or drink."
The drivers detected with the highest alcohol readings have literally fallen out of their cars when they have been stopped, or been unable to stand at the roadside. There is absolutely no excuse for this.
PSNI Superintendent Muir Clarke
Police warn that those caught face fines or losing their licence, losing their job or going to jail - but, with 58 people already killed on Northern Ireland's roads this year, they could be the lucky ones.
"Think about the consequences to yourself and your family of being involved in a serious collision," Superintendent Clarke said.
"How would you feel if your selfish actions resulted in you or one of your family being paralysed? How would you feel if some innocent person was killed?"
The drink-driving figures - which include motorists who were unfit to drive or who were unable, or refused, to give a sample - have gone up, with 28 more people caught than during the same period last year.
While the average age of those failing police breath tests was 25, the youngest person detected was 16 and the oldest 72.
Significantly more men than women were caught drink-driving - 216 compared to 34.
Superintendent Clarke added: "Words alone cannot describe the sights and sounds of the serious road traffic collisions which police officers and our colleagues in the emergency services attend.
"Bodies broken, lives shattered.
"I do not want officers knocking on doors at any time of the year, but especially over Christmas and the New Year, to tell families that a loved one has been killed on the roads."