WHILE sensible town revellers swapped their car keys for taxis over the party season, more motorists than ever were behind the wheel of a faulty vehicle -- a report published today claims.

West Mercia Constabulary's figures show the percentage of motorists providing positive breath tests following collisions was reduced by half compared to the same period last year.

Between December 18 and January 2, officers breathalysed 328 motorists following accidents.

Twenty-six drivers tested positive, compared to last year when 268 motorists were breathalysed following collisions, with 38 positive tests.

Sgt John Roberts, of Bromsgrove police, said: "It's encouraging that the percentage of positive tests reduced by almost 50 per cent over the same period last year.

"However, those who were caught go into 2002 worrying how a driving ban might affect them, their family and their career."

While revellers made the wise choice and left their vehicles at home the report shows an increase in motorists driving faulty vehicles following a series of winter road safety checks.

Sgt Roberts said: "Of the 1,600 vehicles checked during the winter road safety campaign police officers took immediate action in excess of 100 cases.

"A further 300 motorists were warned about the condition of their vehicle, meaning that nearly one in four of the total number of vehicles checked raised some cause for concern.

"The most common faults discovered by officers were defective lights which indicated that motorists are not regularly checking the condition of their vehicles."