Police report rise on last year’s drink-driving figures

The police have reported drink-driving statistics over the Christmas period have increased on last year.

A total of 365 drink drivers were detected during this year’s joint Christmas anti-drink driving campaign by police and the Department of Environment.

Superintendent Ian Hamill, head of the Police Service’s Road Policing Development Branch, revealed that the figure is approximately 12 per cent up on the same period last year.

As part of a concerted police campaign Superintendent Hamill said that more drivers than ever before had been screened by police during the campaign, which ran from November 29, 2001 until January 2, 2002.

The 365 detections include motorists who were unfit to drive or who were unable or refused to give a sample.

Superintendent Hamill added: “We launched the campaign by reiterating our firm commitment to an uncompromising mix of enforcement backed up by education through the Department of the Environment’s major advertising campaigns. We said that, in addition to special Traffic Branch operations, all drivers involved in collisions no matter how slight, to which police were called, would be breath-tested. Indeed, returns we have received from police across the province reveal that 62 of the drink drivers were detected after collisions.”

The traffic police boss also warned drivers that although the ‘Christmas’ campaign had officially ended, there would be no let up in police pressure on drink drivers.

“With one in four of all road deaths in Northern Ireland down to drink, the Police Service is determined to keep the pressure on those drivers who continue to be irresponsible and get behind the wheel after drinking. We are determined that to bring them before the courts where, inevitably, they will lose their licences. One bump and you’re breath-tested continues to be police policy.

“The message to the motoring public remains simple. Never, ever drink and drive.” (AMcE)