THE percentage of motorists testing positive in breath tests following road crashes in West Mercia was halved over Christmas and New Year - bucking the national trend.

Figures released by West Mercia police show that 26 of the 328 motorists breathalysed after smashes, including those who refused to provide a sample, were positive, an equivalent of 7.9 per cent.

In the same period last year, December 18 to January 2, 38 drivers out of 268 tested positive, 14.1 per cent.

National figures show a rise of 15 per cent on last year - from 1,081 positive tests after crashes in 2000/2001 to 1,247 this Christmas, the highest since 1997/98.

Sgt John Roberts, of West Mercia police, was pleased with the dramatic drop, but issued a stern warning to those who had failed or refused to take a breath test.

"It's encouraging that the percentage of positive tests reduced by almost 50 per cent over the same period as last year," he said.