A WEST DORSET man has been ‘named and shamed’ as part of the Dorset Police annual drink-drive campaign.

A total of 65 people have been charged with drink and drive-related offences during the crackdown which formed part of the Countdown to Christmas that began on Sunday December 1 and ended on New Year's Day.

Samuel Bunney, of Lindisfarne, Powerstock, has been banned from driving for 17 months by Weymouth magistrates.

The court heard that a car swerving across a Weymouth road was being driven by the intoxicated 25-year-old.

Police became suspicious when they saw Bunney driving his Audi car down a hill in Weymouth at 2am on December 15 without any headlights.

Prosecutor Elizabeth Valera said Bunney was travelling at low speed and ‘swerving from the kerb to the white lines’. He was pulled over in Weymouth Way.

Bunney, who pleaded guilty to drink-driving, gave a reading of 73mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mg.

Defending, Richard Griffiths said university graduate Bunney, who works for phone company 4Com in Christchurch, had made a ‘foolish mistake’.

He was banned from driving for 17 months, to be reduced by 127 days upon completion of a drink-drivers’ course.

He was fined £345, ordered to pay costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £35.

Dorset Police carried out increased patrols and roadside checks throughout the Christmas and New Year period to target motorists over the limit. Officers are reminding all motorists not to drink and drive.

Inspector Matt Butler, of Dorset Police’s Traffic Unit, said the force will continue enforcement throughout 2014.

He said: “It’s really disappointing that so many people continue to not only put their own lives at risk, but also the lives of other innocent road users. I have seen far too many lives lost on the roads due to drink driving. Research has shown that even one drink can impair the ability to drive so please don’t get behind the wheel after drinking any alcohol at all.”

Every driver who was involved in a collision in Dorset during the drink and drug drive campaign was breathtested, irrespective of whether they were suspected of drink driving or not.

If someone is caught drink driving they will face a minimum 12-month driving ban, a criminal record, up to six months in prison and a fine of up to £5,000.

Dorset Police used information provided by the public to target suspected drink or drug drivers throughout the campaign.

Inspector Butler added: “I urge members of the public to dial 999 if they suspect someone is driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and be assured your details will remain anonymous.”

If you suspect someone is driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, dial 999 immediately so police can intercept or call 101 with non-urgent information.