Senior police have confirmed that the huge number of drink-drivers caught in Orange in the last 12-months is an accurate reflection of the drunk drivers on our roads and of the difference between here, Bathurst and Dubbo.

Figures published by the Central Western Daily on Wednesday show that with 158 drink-drivers Orange had about four times as many offenders as Bathurst and twice as many as Dubbo.

While the difference in the number of drink-drivers caught in the three towns is astounding the detection methods, including the number of breath tests conducted, are almost identical. 

The inspector overseeing the war against drink-driving says the difference in the results cannot be explained away by a more pro-active police approach in Orange.

This leaves Orange with unsavoury conclusion that there simply far more drivers here willing to risk driving after having a few drinks than there are in the other towns.

The results indicate drinking and driving here is an entrenched problem and one which defies many of the assumptions the community may have about other centres we think of as less law abiding.

Even during the recent Bathurst race weekend, where beer and other alcohol was consumed in copious amounts, the detection rate for drink-drivers was way below that routinely found in Orange.

It is a huge issue but while police vow to continue prosecuting the large number of drink-drivers on the streets of Orange this approach has not been seen to modify behaviour in the past.

The behaviour of these drivers shames them and puts every road user at risk. The community must be part of the solution.