Police officers received nothing but praise when they pulled over dozens of motorists in a pre-Christmas drink-driving crackdown.

And traffic officers were delighted that not one of the drivers they stopped on Abingdon's Marcham Road tested positive during breath tests.

Admittedly, it was 10am when Oxford Mail reporter Stephen Deal and photographer Andy Cooper joined officers from the Witney traffic base for one of a series of spot-checks taking place throughout the county.

But officers are well aware that many drivers fall into the trap at this time of the year of drinking into the early hours of the morning at Christmas parties and still being over the limit when driving to work a few hours later. Delighted with the response he received from most of the drivers, Sgt Mick Rice said: "I think there is no doubt that the message about drink-driving is getting through.

"The younger generation, in particular, have been well-educated about why not to drink and drive and things have changed from the days when it was almost accepted.

"If you are caught drinking and driving, it can have a devastating effect on your life.

"You can lose your licence, which means you can lose your job, which, in turn, can mean you have trouble paying your mortgage.

"And there is no doubt that drinking and driving can kill." Drivers asked to take the breath test included 22-year-old Matthew Sharp, from Ducklington, who was on his way to get something to eat in Abingdon town centre before working at the Central TV studios.

He said: "I said I had a pint of beer last night and they gave me a test. I don't mind them stopping me at all.

"People shouldn't drink and drive."

David Wadley, 28, from Steventon, said: "If it saves lives in the long run, then it can only be a good thing."

Geli Capp, 45, of West Hendred, whose father used to be a policeman in her native Germany, was glad to see the stop-checks but hoped they wouldn't only take place in the run-up to Christmas. She said: "I think it is great and should be done a lot more often and all year round.

"I know of people who come out of pubs, walk down the road and then drive home."

Another motorist to wel- come being stopped was 51-year-old William Frankum, of Matthews Way, Wootton.

Mr Frankum said: "No-one should drink and drive and I certainly don't mind being stopped.

"The police have got their job to do. They should certainly do this all year round."

The police do carry out spot checks during the year, but it tends to be a higher-profile campaign in the run-up to Christmas. Sgt Rice said: "What we have done here is a series of static roadside checks with the vehicles pulled over totally at random. We have picked all age ranges.

"There may be other offences we discover, but this campaign is very much aimed at combating drink-driving."

Although all motorists passed the drink-driving tests, police did discover various vehicle defects and drivers not wearing seat-belts.

Sgt Rice added: "The message about drink-driving is definitely getting through.

"But drivers should be aware that we will be doing spot-checks all over Oxfordshire at all times of the day and the year. "As you saw today, most motorists are very happy that we do that."

Although the police are pleased that fewer motorists seem prepared to risk drinking and driving, they are concerned that some are still not taking enough safety precautions overall in the winter weather.

During the last two weeks, the four police officers involved in the stop-checks have been called to at least a dozen serious injury accidents in south Oxfordshire, including some which have involved fatalities.

Sgt Rice said: "The causes are still being investigated but some drivers just don't appreciate the dangers of driving in those weather conditions."

Story date: Friday 24 December

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.