Avon and Somerset Police have arrested 117 people suspected of drinking or drug driving in the first two weeks of their annual Christmas crackdown, new figures show.
The operation, which began on December 1, has already seen more arrests than in the same period last year, when 111 drivers were detained.
Officers stated the rise in cases was concerning and have issued a fresh warning to motorists about the dangers of getting behind the wheel while impaired.
Police have also called on members of the public to help stop dangerous drivers before someone is seriously hurt or killed.
The force said there is no excuse for drink or drug driving and wants people across the region to report anyone they believe is driving while intoxicated.
The warning comes after officers pointed to a fatal case earlier this year, which showed just how devastating the consequences can be.
On the morning of March 10, 77-year-old grandmother Sally Blew was killed as she crossed Lisieux Way shortly before 10am. She was struck by a Mercedes Sprinter van driven by Michael Atkinson from Taunton.
Police say Mr Atkinson was travelling at 43mph in a 30mph zone at the time of the collision. He was also banned from driving.
The driver who caused the road fatality was travelling at 43mph in a 30mph zone at the time of the incident
| GETTYTests carried out at the scene and later in police custody found that the driver had alcohol, cannabis and cocaine in his system.
CCTV footage reviewed during the investigation showed he had been driving erratically in the moments leading up to the crash.
Inspector Matt Boiles, from Avon and Somerset Police's roads policing team, said the case should serve as a clear warning to others. "This is a stark reminder that driving while intoxicated is never a victimless act," he said. "One decision can destroy lives in seconds, including your own."
Inspector Boiles stressed that what happened was not an accident or a simple error. "This was not a momentary lapse in judgment or an unavoidable mistake," he said.
Drivers recorded more than 100 cases of drink or drug driving
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"The offender made a deliberate decision to get behind the wheel of a van while intoxicated, fully aware of the risks."
He added: "That choice has had devastating consequences, not only for the victims and their families, but for the offender himself."
Mr Atkinson appeared at Taunton Crown Court on July 11, where he admitted causing death by driving while disqualified, causing death by careless driving, and offences relating to alcohol, cannabis and cocaine levels.
According to reports, the driver was sentenced to nine years in prison and banned from driving for a further 11 years and 11 months.
Inspector Boiles said the length of the sentence reflected the seriousness of the offence. "A nine-year custodial sentence reflects the seriousness of that deliberate decision," he said.
The current alcohol limit is 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood in England | PA"It marks the loss of liberty during some of the most significant years of an adult's life, the breakdown of family relationships, the loss of employment and skills, and the permanent damage to future prospects," Mr Boiles stressed.
Police also warned that even after his release, Mr Atkinson will continue to face restrictions, including limited job opportunities, an extended driving ban and the stigma of a serious criminal conviction.
Avon and Somerset Police explained how drink and drug driving has been a factor in around a quarter of all fatal road collisions in the force area so far this year.
During the Christmas period, officers will be carrying out roadside checks and speaking directly to drivers about the risks of driving under the influence.