Positive drink/drive results fall in summer campaign
6 Aug 2008

Drivers tested positive for drink driving have fallen by 0.4 per cent during this year's summer campaign, according to statistics released by West Midlands Police.

This year's targeted drink/drug drive force wide campaign ran from 1 June 2008 to 30 June 2008.

Over 20,000 drivers were stopped, of whom 2479 were breath tested - 16.6 per cent of people tested positive, a drop on last year’s percentage of 17 per cent.

The number of drivers breath-tested from all collisions is down by 37.4 per cent; however the number of collisions reported increased by 36.7 per cent. The percentage of positive breath-tests from collisions fell significantly from 7.5 per cent in 2007 to 2.9 per cent in 2008.

Inspector Clive Isherwood, from West Midlands Police Strategic Road Policing, said: "This year's results show overall that fewer drivers provided positive test results. Hopefully the drink drive message does appear to be getting through and our officers have provided support throughout the campaign.

"Drink/drug drive testing is conducted throughout the year so, just because this campaign is over, it does not mean that drivers over the limit will not get caught.

"Drink driving does cost lives - make sure you know how you are getting home before you go out and take full advantage of night buses, licensed taxis and designated driver schemes.

"While we will deal with offenders firmly, the important message remains don't drink or take drugs and drive."

PC Steve Rogers from the Force Traffic Unit added: "This campaign was aimed at drivers who refuse to heed the warnings not to drink and drive, or take drugs and drive. We have utilised local intelligence to a greater degree, and have targeted particular ‘hot spots’ with a view to catching those people who continue to drive under the influence."