Christmas Drink and Drug Drive Campaign Results 2010

Throughout the campaign, no-one was found to be impaired through drugs although 65 people were arrested following positive breath tests for being over the legal alcohol limit.

Officers breath tested or carried out a Field Impairment Test on 1404 drivers in total from 1st December 2010 to 1st January 2011. 65 of those tested gave positive results and were arrested under Section 5 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. This equates to 4.6% of people tested.

Head of the Roads Policing Unit, Inspector Mick Little said: “It has been very pleasing news that we have had to arrest less drivers during this year’s campaign, as it appears that fewer people have been taking drugs or drinking alcohol before getting behind the wheel.

“However, there were still a number of drivers who chose to be irresponsible and drive whilst under the influence of alcohol. These people will now appear before the courts to face the consequences of their actions. It is very disappointing that there are people that consider it acceptable to risk seriously injuring or killing themselves or other innocent road users.

“Throughout the campaign there has been support from the public and we have had a number of drivers that have given us a voluntary breath sample. We know that the vast majority of the drivers we stop are law-abiding and would not dream of drink or drug driving. Throughout the year we will continue with our efforts to clamp down on drink and drug drivers in order to save lives on Cleveland’s roads.”