but figures for those failing the test have increased.

There were 67 arrests made in the first quarter of this year compared with 77 in the same period of last year. But the number of people failing the breath test has risen from 31 to 40.

The worst offenders were those in the 22 to 30 age group with 25 arrests while the 31 to 40 age group took second place with 15 arrests. The statistics show the typical drink driver is a male over the age of 21 who is arrested at the weekend between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. Two taxi drivers were also picked up in the first three months of 2000.

A Police spokeswoman said: "It's a concern that there are two taxi drivers arrested well under the influence. "The Road Safety Council, the Transport Control Department and the National Traffic Coordinator will continue to meet to address this concern as well as other concerns.'' POLICE POL