Figures reveal drink driving on the increase

The number of motorists caught driving under the influence of drink and drugs has significantly increased over the last three months, according to police.

The figures for the period April to June 2004 show that officers caught 1,032 drivers for drink /drug driving, an increase of 362 on the same period last year.

Superintendent Ian Hamill, head of the Police Service’s Road Policing Development Branch, said that the rise in detections was evidence of a robust and targeted enforcement policy.

“Drink-driving accounts for almost one in four of road deaths," Superintendent Hamill said. "We are committed to tackling the issue through both education and enforcement. The vast majority of people here recognise that it is shameful and unacceptable behaviour which too often leads to tragedy and loss in families.

“It is disappointing that in three months from April to June of this year more than 1,000 people decided to get behind the wheel of a vehicle after drinking. That means, of course, 1,000 people who are now facing the fact that they will lose their licences, and, inevitably, in some cases their livelihoods."

Other figures released by police showed that 1,973 drivers were detected for dangerous or careless driving; 6,510 for non-wearing of seatbelts and 6,988 for excess speed.

“Drink, dangerous and careless driving along with speeding are killing people on our roads," Superintendent Hamill added. "We have promised that we will be robust and targeted in our enforcement. I believe the figures we have released to-day reflect that determination.

“If every driver in Northern Ireland reduced speed, drove with more care and attention, wore seatbelts and never, ever drove after drinking then we would be looking at many fewer tragedies on our roads.”

(MB)