MORE than six per cent of young drivers failed a breath-test during a major crackdown.

Police tested 13,000 motorists during a four-week blitz on drink and drug driving in Lancashire.

And officers expressed their disappointment that so many young drivers failed or refused tests.

Overall just 1.9 per cent of drivers failed the roadside tests, down from 2.4 per cent in a similar operation last year.

Supt Peter O’Dwyer said: “There remains a disproportional number of people in the under 25 category failing or refusing a test – the failure and refusal rate for under 25s was 6.1 per cent compared to a failure rate of 1.5 per cent for over 25s.

“We will continue to work very closely with other agencies in educating this vulnerable group and making sure they clearly understand the dangers of drink driving.

“We take a tough-line against those who persist on driving after drinking or taking drugs. We carry out enforcement activity throughout the year, not just during specific campaigns.

“Any amount of alcohol affects your ability to drive and the only safe option is not to drive if you plan to drink. Our message is simple, do not drink and drive and do not take drugs and drive.”

The annual crackdown saw high-profile enforcement activity take place across the county.

There were checkpoints at key locations where officers administered drink and drugs tests.

In 2010, there were 46 fatal collisions in Lancashire and eight of these involved drink or drugs.

County Councillor Tim Ashton, Lancashire County Council Cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "It's very encouraging to see that the number of people who choose to drink and drive is continuing to fall.

"This success shows the value of the many years of sustained enforcement by the police and the accompanying road safety campaigns to highlight the often tragic result of drinking and driving."