MORE than 300 people were arrested for driving while under the influence of drink or drugs in Greater Manchester over Christmas and new year.

Police breathalysed 7,987 drivers between December 1, 2013, and New Year’s Day as part of their annual drink drive campaign.

The 319 people arrested equates to 3.9 per cent of those stopped returning positive breath tests, which is down from 4.1 per cent last year.

A total of 72 people tested positive following a collision while 247 were caught by officers at roadside check sites or while out on patrol.

Police launched the None for the Road campaign ahead of the festive period alongside DriveSafe and Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service (GMFRS).

Inspector Matt Bailey-Smith, responsible for the festive drink-drive campaign, said: “It is reassuring to see that there are fewer people putting lives in danger by drink driving but there is still a lot of work to do.

“319 people still thought it was acceptable to get behind the wheel after having a drink and it’s this kind of behaviour that leads to deaths on our roads.

“Drinking and driving is a deadly mix and although the festive operation may have concluded, our fight is far from over.”

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service group manager, Stuart Millington, said: “We’re delighted the campaign has been so successful.

“Firefighters now rescue more people from car crashes than they do from fires. Drinking and driving is a recipe for disaster and all too often we are there to pick up the pieces.”