Enormous rise in festive drink-driving
- Nine-fold rise in drink-drivers caught this December
- Drug-driving figures also released
- Call for year-round crackdown
A stiff crackdown on Christmas drink-driving has brought about more than 9000 arrests over the festive period.
The Association of Chief Police Officers said 9275 motorists were arrested in England and Wales in December, more than nine times more than the 1022 collared last year. Police forces in Scotland and Northern Ireland also reported increases in arrests of people drink-driving.
Meredydd Hughes, Chief Constable for South Yorkshire Police, commented: 'This is the largest ever drink-driving crackdown.
'Those drivers now face disqualification, a fine or imprisonment, confirming that those driving under the influence can expect to be caught and brought to justice.'
For the first time, ACPO also revealed drug-driving figures, with 178 people arrested for driving under the influence of illegal substances. Hughes described this number as 'worrying', the figures revealing that one in three of the motorists given roadside tests for drugs were found to be under the influence.
The RAC Foundation has called for more traffic police to target drink- and drug-drivers and wants a Government campaign to educate people on the dangers of driving under the influence of cannabis, the most commonly used drug consumed by motorists.
Edmund King, chief executive of the foundation said: 'We have a growing problem with drinking and drug driving. The message is not getting through to some. It is vital that we get to grips with this problem and find year-round methods to stop this menace.'
What Car?
is brought to you by
Haymarket Consumer MediaWhat Car? is part of Haymarket Motoring
© Haymarket Media Group 2010
