11/01/2006

Drink driving levels 'unacceptable'

The number of people continuing to drive under the influence of drink and drugs has been criticised as "unacceptable".

The Association of Chief Police Officers said that drivers were continuing to drive while under the influence, in spite of "substantial and well-publicised risk to themselves, pedestrians and other road users".

The announcement comes as the ACPO published the results of its Christmas clampdown on drink driving. The campaign, which ran throughout England and Wales during December, saw 133,136 drivers being breath-tested. Nearly 7% of the tests were positive.

More than 15,000 tests were also carried out on drivers involved in collisions during the period and 8.6% were found to be positive - a slight drop on last year's figure of 8.75%.

Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police and ACPO spokesperson on road policing Meredydd Hughes said: "Despite more than 40 years of campaigns to warn of the dangers of drink driving and the best efforts of police across England and Wales, some drivers continue to consider themselves above the law, putting themselves and other road users at risk by drinking and driving.

"There are no excuses for this behaviour. If people are confused about the amount of alcohol they can consume before driving, the advice is simple - do not drink at all if you are planning to drive."

Over 500 drivers were also subjected to 'fit to drive' tests for the first time. The tests, which are carried out on those suspected of driving under the influence of drugs, resulted in nearly a third of those tested being arrested for drink or drug impairment offences.

Chief Constable Hughes said that the number of people, particularly young people, driving under the influence of drugs was increasing. He said: "Driving impaired under the influence of drugs is no more acceptable than drink driving and will not be tolerated."

Chief Constable Hughes said that those drivers who had been arrested would now face court proceedings, disqualification, a fine or imprisonment.

(KMcA)

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