Campaign nets 33 offenders (From Gazette Series)

Campaign nets 33 offenders

POLICE have arrested 33 people for drink driving offences during the second week of the countywide Christmas drink drive campaign.

Between Monday, December 15 and Monday, December 22 some 879 motorists were asked to provide a breath test and 33 (or 3.75 per cent) were either over the drink drive limit or refused to give a breath sample.

Officers mounted 61 roadside checks and attended 46 injury collisions, administering 70 breath tests upon arrival.

None of those tested at the scene of accidents were over the drink drive limit, but a further two roadside tests for driving under the influence of drugs were conducted and two arrests were made as a result.

The second week's results takes the total number of people arrested for drink driving since the campaign started on December 8 to 56 out of a total of 1457 drivers asked to provide a breath test.

This 3.84 per cent failure rate compares favourably with the failure rate of 5.06 for the entirety of last year's campaign, but Inspector John Pickersgill said the relatively high number of arrests was still cause for concern.

He said: "The 56 people we have arrested for drink driving so far this year, as well as the three so far arrested for driving under the influence of drugs, will inevitably have a far less enjoyable Christmas than they might have done with their court appearances and loss of driving licences looming over them.

"But the misery they may experience will be far less than it could have been had they caused themselves or others serious injury.

"We are continually surprised that the dangers and consequences of drink and or drug driving don't seem to hit home with people, despite the efforts made to educate people and extensive coverage in the media.

"We sincerely hope more people will heed the message, particularly over the coming week, as we don't want to be keeping people in the cells and attending injury or fatal collisions caused by drink driving on what should be days for celebration like December 25."

Gloucestershire Constabulary is working with Gloucestershire County Council's Road Safety team on the Christmas drink drive campaign.

Motorists found to be under the drink drive limit but who have consumed a certain amount of alcohol are being shown hard hitting videos at the roadside that demonstrate the effect consumption of even a small amount of alcohol can have on driving.

Information cards on Next Day Danger are being handed out to motorists stopped and a roadside poster campaign has also been mounted.

Gloucestershire county councillor John Cordwell, portfolio holder with responsibility for road safety, says: "If you drink, don't drive - that's the best advice for all drivers.

"Studies have shown that even a small amount of alcohol can affect

people's ability to drive safely. It only takes one reckless driver to ruin many lives and although the majority of drivers act sensibly, I urge everyone to take heed of this initiative - don't drink and drive."