DRINK-DRIVING in south Cumbria has almost doubled in 10 years, while the average alcohol reading has nearly trebled.

The alarming statistics were uncovered by The Mail following a freedom of information request.

Cumbria police have vowed to take action on those caught over the limit.

A spokesman said: "The constabulary have taken a more targeted and intelligence-led approach into combating drink-driving in recent years.

"Each year we run campaigns in both the summer and winter periods that looks to enforce the law where necessary and prevent road collisions."

In 2007, 60 drivers were arrested and charged after drink-driving and taken to either Barrow or Kendal police station.

So far this year, the figure has risen to 115 drunk drivers, although they peaked at 254 in 2008.

The average breath test reading, in micrograms per 100ml, has also risen dramatically to almost three times its level in 2008.

Drivers tested at the roadside were found to record readings of 8.98 breath alcohol concentrations (BrAC), a 181 per cent increase from 3.19 BrAC in 2008.

Cumbria police records for this information only go back as far as September 2008.

The spokesman said: "The reality is that we are out on the roads testing all day, every day and people can see the actions that are being taken for themselves on social media.

"Our roads policing officers have their own Twitter account @CumbriaRoadsPol where drink-driving stops are publicised along with other offences such as no insurance, speeding and distracted driving."

So far this year, 21 people have been arrested and charged with failing to provide a sample for analysis, up from four in 2007.

Cumbria police have warned those who don't comply with roadside officers.

The spokesman said: "People need to have a particularly good reason for why they have not provided a specimen of breath.

"If they fail to, without good reason, their actions will not be judged leniently when they find themselves in front of magistrates."

Statistics show level of drink-driving problem

The figures show an alarming rise in the number of drink drivers on south Cumbrian roads.

In 2007, a total of 60 people were arrested and charged with driving over the limit, before this figure more than quadrupled to 254 the following year.

Since then, it has only passed the 200 mark once, in 2009 with 212.

The figure fell to 180 the following year, before fluctuating between 153 and 158 for the next five years, apart from a jump to 172 in 2013.

It has continued to fall since 2015, although there have been a total of 1,744 drink drivers arrested and charged at either Barrow or Kendal police station in the time period.

South Cumbria Magistrates' Court in Barrow sees a number of drunk drivers on a weekly basis, with a mandatory driving ban enforced for those convicted.

The legal limit is 35 micrograms of alcohol in 100ml of breath, 80 milligrams in 100ml of blood, or 107 milligrams in 100ml of urine.