DOZENS of campaigns and police clampdowns have dramatically reduced the numbers of drink drivers on our roads. And the latest figures for Lancashire confirm that the trend continues.

In a police campaign between June 19 and 30, only 48 out of 3,200 drivers who were stopped tested positive or refused to give a sample -- 12 per cent.

Sadly, the police Eastern division which includes Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley had the second highest per centage of drink drivers in the county for that period.

This was in marked contrast with East Lancashire's other police division, made up of Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale, where those tested positive or refusing to give a sample amounted to four per cent.

While the overall improvement is extremely good news, there is obviously more work to be done in Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley.

There can be no excuses for drinking and driving.

Those who take the risk pose a major hazard on our overcrowded roads, often wrecking the lives of the innocent parties they involve.

Driving can be a risky business at the best of times and those who consider themselves capable of handling a vehicle after consuming dangerous amounts of alcohol have no place on the road.

It is up to everyone -- Government, police, local authorities and members of the public -- to convince them that drinking and driving will not be tolerated.