Police disappointed at Xmas drink drive figures

Reported by Maurice Chesworth 20/01/2012

Drink drive figures for Cumbria over the Christmas period were up on the previous year, police revealed today.
The annual crackdown ran from December 1 2011 to January 1 2012. During that
period, officers conducted 3,345 breath tests across the county, of which 88 either
proved positive for traces of alcohol, or the driver failed or refused to provide a test.
33 of the positive tests, or failures to provide a test, followed a collision.

This means that 2.6 per cent of motorists tested for alcohol were over the limit.

In December 2010, a total of 1,641 breath tests were taken with a total of 58 drivers
providing positive breath tests. This meant that 3.5 per cent of those tested were
over the limit. Cumbria experienced particularly bad weather in December 2010,
meaning far fewer motorists used the county’s roads and, consequently, a much
smaller number of breath tests were carried out by police.

Officers are pleased with the reduction in the rate of people caught drink driving, but
disappointed that a minority of motorists continue to put other road users at risk by
getting behind the wheel after having a drink.

Inspector Andy Wilkinson from Cumbria’s Roads Policing Unit, said: “We are pleased
to have seen a reduction in the percentage of positive breath tests but it is still quite
shocking that there are so many people who continue to ignore the law and risk the
lives of other road users by drink driving.

“The effects of driving under the influence of drink and drugs can be devastating and
will not be tolerated in Cumbria.

“We will continue to crack down on those who are intent on driving under the
influence of alcohol. Everyone should take responsibility for road safety by reminding
friends and family to drive safely and by reporting anyone they know to be drink
driving to police immediately.”

Assistant Chief Constable Michelle Skeer said: “I am disappointed that there are
some people who continue to ignore our warnings and put lives at risk by driving
under the influence of drink or drugs.

“There is no excuse for this and we will not tolerate those who needlessly endanger
the lives of other road users.