NEARLY 1,800 motorists were caught drink-driving on Cumbria’s roads in the last three years.

Police say they are shocked by the figures, revealed exclusively today by the News & Star .

They show that despite numerous campaigns, education programmes and enforcement about 50 people a month are still drink-driving.

The statistics, released under the Freedom of Information Act, show hot spots for drink-driving are Carlisle, where 278 drink-drivers were caught; Workington with 113, Whitehaven with 104, Maryport with 44 and Cockermouth with 38.

Sergeant Darren Bawden, of Cumbria police, said: “I was shocked when I heard those figures. That equates to about 600 drink-drivers being caught every year.

“We want to get the message across that nowhere is safe. Even in the rural areas if you are out drink-driving then we will catch you.”

Sgt Bawden said Easter, Christmas, the summer – and nights when England play football – can often see an increase in the number of

drink-drivers on the county’s roads.

He said: “The consequences of drink-driving can be life changing. If you are caught you can lose your job, you could kill someone – if not yourself – and then you could end up in prison. You have to live with that.

“Our message is simple – don’t do it.”

Chris Broadbent, of the Cumbria Road Safety Partnership said: “This a disappointing result, the police enforce the law for the benefit of all – even the smallest amount of alcohol can affect the ability to drive safely.”

In a recent case, Charlotte Durdy was found to be nearly five times the legal drink-drive limit after being stopped by police with an alcohol reading of 167mgs per 100mls of breath. The limit is 35mcg.

Durdy, 42, of Ousby, near Penrith, was found sitting in her car on Blackwell Road, Carlisle, after staff at a nearby shop raised the alarm out of concern.

Carlisle Magistrates’ Court imposed a 12-month community order, with 10 days of rehabilitation and a 16-week curfew.

Durdy was also banned from driving for a year and ordered to pay £145 legal costs.

In another case, Patrick McIlroy, 60, of Bradbury Avenue, Maryport, has been warned he could face jail after being caught almost three times over the limit on two occasions just weeks apart.

He was stopped on Ellenborough Road in Maryport while driving a Citroen Berlingo on January 28.

On February 24 he was pulled over in the same vehicle while on Curzon Street in Maryport.

He will be sentenced today by magistrates in Workington.

In the police’s most recent campaign 26 motorists were caught drink-driving. The force’s festive crackdown led to 623 drivers being tested.