A DRIVER was arrested after a breath test showed she was almost five times the legal drink drive limit.

Results from North Yorkshire Police's summer drink and drug driving campaign were released on Wednesday, and showed 177 people were arrested over six week, with 21 providing readings of more than two-and-a-half times the legal limit.

The 50-year-old York woman was arrested on Wednesday, July 6, at just after midday, when she provided a breath reading of 169 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - the legal limit is 35mg in 100ml. She remains on bail.

Police said 59 arrests were made for drug driving offences, an increase of 168 per cent on last year's number (22 arrests). A spokeswoman said this was likely due to the increased use of roadside testing equipment.

Sgt Andy Morton of the Road Policing Group said the increase in arrests was disappointing, and said some arrests had been made following phone calls from the public which potentially saved lives.

He said: "Whilst the increase in the numbers of arrests made is disappointing, the figures clearly demonstrate North Yorkshire Police’s commitment to get dangerous drink and drug drivers off the road.

"The campaign may have drawn to a close for the summer, but our determination to find and prosecute people who openly disregard the law and put themselves and others at risk, does not waiver. North Yorkshire Police are out on the roads and remain committed to the task, all year round."

So far, 29 motorists have been charged and sentenced at court, with bans of between 12 and 48 months and heavy fines issued. Some have been ordered to complete community orders and in some cases been handed suspended prison sentences.