DRINK-driving remains a prominent social problem in which the behaviour of the individual can have drastic consequences.

So it is easy to sympathise with North Yorkshire Police over a rise in the number of motorists arrested for drink-driving during Christmas and the New Year.

Ninety arrests were made, compared with 85 for the same period last year.

What has particularly angered the police is that they carried out fewer tests but found more drivers over the limit. This gloomily suggests the most severe campaign yet - and one which was very well publicised - failed to get across this important message.

The police must wonder what it will take to convince those motorists who continue to drive while under the influence of alcohol. They will already be planning how to crack down on drink-driving next Christmas. And there will be more blitzes long before that.

North Yorkshire Police say they won't tolerate drink-driving by "an arrogant minority who think they have the right to jeopardise other people's safety".

A graphic and tragic example was splashed across the front page of this newspaper on December 21 when Kevin Lane, whose drink-driving cost the life of Laura Collingwood, 19, was sentenced to four years in prison.

Lane asked for his story to be used as a powerful warning about the dangers of drinking and driving.

Yet, despite such frightening illustrations, some drivers persist in taking the risk.

It really is time to stay sober.

Updated: 09:41 Wednesday, January 05, 2005