A 100TH taxi driver has been arrested for drink or drug driving on Merseyside in less than a year.

Police announced yesterday on social media that the "unfortunate milestone" had been reached, tweeting out an image of a vehicle stopped at the side of the road.

The force's tweet, sent out from the Roads Policing Unit account, said: "Unfortunate milestone today! This is the 100th licensed driver arrested for drink (8) or Drug (92) drive since May!"

The number includes both Hackney carriage drivers and private hire vehicles.

The post said a total of 48 of those had been Liverpool drivers, 33 from Sefton, 14 from Knowsley and five from other regions.

It added: "We will carry on working hard to support the majority of legal drivers in the trade."

The news follows a scheme over Christmas named Operation Nemesis that saw roadside checks carried out across Merseyside for the fourth consecutive festive season.

That operation saw 19 arrested throughout the month, leading Inspector Keith Kellett to warn: "Drug driving is a serious offence and leaves our communities vulnerable.

"All motorists have a duty of care to themselves, those they are travelling with and other road users which is why it is particularly important that taxi drivers and private hire companies consider the risks they may be putting themselves and others in if they’re found to be driving whilst using drugs."

What's the law on drug driving?

The law states that it's illegal to drive if either the person is unfit to do so because they're on legal or illegal drugs, or they have certain levels of illegal drugs in the blood – even if they haven't affected the person's driving.

The police can stop drivers and make them do a 'field impairment assessment' if they think the driver is on drugs.

That means a series of tests, like asking the driver to walk in a straight line.

They can also use roadside drug kits to screen for cannabis and cocaine.