THE number of drivers caught drink driving over the festive period has gone up slightly.
Of the 2,907 drivers who were breathlysed by South Yorkshire Police, 151 or 5.2 per cent tested positive or refused or failed to provide a breath test. The previous Christmas 5.1 per cent failed.
A total of 503 breath tests were carried out after collisions on the roads and 9.5 per cent of those motorists were recorded as being over the drink drive limit or unable to provide a breath test.
Nationally, drink and drug drive figures for the December 2012 Association of Chief Police Officers campaign showed over 175,000 tests were conducted and more than 7,000 drivers tested positive, or refused or failed to provide a sample.
South Yorkshire Police chief inspector for roads policing Stuart Walne said: “With almost 10 per cent of collisions involving drink drivers the message couldn’t be clearer: alcohol and driving should never be mixed.
“Drink driving kills and has a devastating effect on families and loved ones.
“Through our annual campaigns, South Yorkshire Police and the wider South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership have consistently warned the public, both young and old, that drink driving can kill.
“Statistics show younger drivers under 25 are more likely to commit a drink driving offence and we will continue to target our resources accordingly, raising awareness that drink driving can also lead to a lengthy driving ban and possible loss of jobs and livelihoods with some offenders even facing imprisonment.”
Drink driving in numbers:
Number of drivers tested in 2011 - 4,690
Number of drivers tested in 2012 - 2,907
Number who failed or refused breath test in 2011 - 239
Number who failed or refused breath test in 2012 - 151
Comments