DESPITE constant and often harrowing warnings, every month more than 100 people in Essex are arrested for getting behind the wheel of their car after drinking or taking drugs.

We suspect the majority are people who have had a couple of drinks and still think they OK to drive. They probably do it every weekend.

Michelle Bell is right when she says it is not taken seriously enough by society.

So what can be done?

We report on drivers from 18 to 80 and from all backgrounds drink driving.

In most cases, this isn’t crime we can blame on society’s woes, it is simply a case of personal responsibility.

Mrs Bell suggests if the legal limit is lowered, people who are considering driving after a drink or two would think again.

After all, too many people can clearly not be trusted to make the right decision often enough.

It makes sense to lower the limit and encourage drivers to not even drink a drop.

Lower offending rates in Scotland since a change in the law suggests it could work.

So if a change in law has worked elsewhere, what reason does the Government have for refusing to lower the limit?

The startling statistics showing drink driving is not slowing down is evidence the system is not working.

Essex Police will, as they do every year, launch an anti-drink driving campaign this Christmas - and hundreds of drivers will selfishly carry on breaking the law.

Something has change... and fast.