Summer campaign highlights people continue to drink and drive

Cumbria Constabulary’s recent drink and drug drive campaign has highlighted how people are still putting their lives at risk and the lives of others in danger by getting behind the wheel of a car when under the influence.

Police officers target drink and drug drivers throughout the year; however in June there is a national campaign to target those who drive under the influence. This also provides officers with an insight into trends and attitudes toward drink driving.

Cumbria Constabulary kicked off their campaign on 1 June 2012 which focused on a designated driver, with all of the events happening across the County, having pre-arrangements to get home was the message to save people’s lives.

This year, 1,322 breath tests were conducted during the campaign which ran until 30 June 2012 and 99 people were arrested, meaning seven percent of those tested were either over the limit or failed to provide a test.

Of the 1,322 that were tested, 320 of these were following traffic collisions and 23 were found to have been over the legal limit.

The number who were tested and under 25 were 319, with 18 of these either being over the limit of failing to provide,  the remainder (1,003) where over 25 and 81 of those either tested positive or failed to provide.

In 2011, 67 people were arrested after officers conducted 880 breath tests during the campaign, 14 followed road traffic collisions. Twenty three of those who tested positive were under 25 years old and 44 were older, showing that a respect of the law does not necessarily come with age.

In 2010, 95 arrests were made after 952 breath tests, meaning less that ten percent of those tested were either over the limit or failed to provide a test, and in 2009, 88 arrests were made after 1,434 breath tests, meaning six percent of those tested were either over the limit or failed to provide a test.

Chief Inspector Kevin Greenhow who heads up the Roads Policing Unit in Cumbria said “More drivers were tested this year than in 2011 and the number which resulted in arrested was similar to previous years, at around seven percent.

“The number of people who still take a risk and drive when under the influence is not acceptable. We work with many different organisations and carry out operations throughout the year to target drink drivers in order to make the message clear that it is dangerous.

“These messages are important and could save people’s lives. Driving when under the influence of drink and drugs does impair driving and you are not able to make clear judgements, people are not fully in control and are putting lives at risk.

“We will continue to target any driver which we suspect to be under the influence and our officers are highly trained in recognising the signs of those who are driving whilst impaired.

“It is easy to make alternative arrangements if you are going out socialising. If you know you are going somewhere remote or there is a potential you will have a drink, never think you will be ok to drive, you are not. Ask someone to collect you or have a designated driver. Book a taxi, those extra few pounds to get home safely could save your life.”