Hundreds arrested in drink drive crackdown

Almost 300 motorists were arrested in South Yorkshire for drink or drug driving during June alone.

As part of a campaign by South Yorkshire Police targeting known drink-driving hotspots, 4,862 drivers were breathalysed, with 277 either testing positive or refusing to provide a breath test.

Nationally, drink drive figures for the June 2010 Association of Chief Police Officers campaign show 100,853 tests were conducted and 5,652 (5.6 per cent) were over the limit.

Throughout the month, South Yorkshire Police specifically targeted areas with a known record of drink driving.

The police enforcement was supported by a local advertising campaign organised by the South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership.

The “Drinking Like a Fish” campaign appeared in pub display packs, on bus-side advertising and on-line, via Facebook.

South Yorkshire Police’s Chief Insp for Roads Policing, Stuart Walne, said: “Running an intelligence-led campaign meant that whilst the number of breath tests carried out had reduced in comparison to previous campaigns, the number of people caught drink driving actually increased.

“The increased number of arrests shows we are serious about keeping people safe from drink drivers.

“I’d like to thank not only my colleagues for working so hard, but also the public in helping to inform us of regular drink drivers.

“It is clear that drink driving kills people and is a factor in road collisions which can have a devastating effect on families and loved ones.

“Such instances are not acceptable on the roads of South Yorkshire.”

Anyone with information about an individual who regularly drives under the influence of drugs or alcohol should contact South Yorkshire Police on 0114 220 2020.