A newly-published police report has shown that a worryingly high proportion of holiday-time drink driving offences are committed by young driver car insurance holders.
Dorset Police's Christmas 2010 drink driving campaign resulted in 90 arrests for drink-related offences, with one third involving drivers under the age of 25.
The chilling statistics have implications both for the safety of young people out on the roads and the price of car insurance for young drivers.
Officers in Dorset carried out a total of 943 breath tests between December 1st, 2010 and January 1st, 2011.
The period saw increased numbers of traffic patrols and road-side checks, and the breathalyser was used at every accident - whether drink driving was suspected or not.
"These figures show that a minority of drivers are still willing to risk their lives, and the lives of other innocent motorists, by choosing to drink and drive," said Chief Inspector Bob Nichols, of the Dorset Police Traffic Unit.
"I'm particularly concerned at the large number of younger drivers who we continue to see risking their lives by drinking and driving."
Despite the efforts of police across the country, treacherous conditions and the temptation to drink at Christmas have been the downfall of many young driver car insurance customers, and the authorities are once again left scratching their heads for a solution in time for this year's festivities.