Citizen News
Lancashire drink drivers rate falls dramatically over the festive period
5:00pm Tuesday 17th January 2012
THE number of people caught drink driving in Lancashire over the festive period has fallen dramatically, with just over one per cent of all those stopped testing over the limit.
Police said that from December 1 and January 1, 13,249 tests were administered with just 168 people testing positive or refusing to provide a specimen.
This compares to 2 per cent for the previous year’s campaign and 2.2 per cent for the 2009 campaign.
Supt Peter O’Dwyer said: “The number of people caught drink driving in Lancashire has fallen yet again, which is really encouraging.
“It indicates that the message is getting through to most people and that attitudes towards drink driving are changing.
“One person drink driving is one too many though. We are not complacent and we will continue to carry out enforcement activity throughout the year – not just during the festive period – to target those who persist on driving after drinking or taking drugs.
“Statistics show that around one in six fatal collisions in Lancashire involve either drink or drugs or both and this is simply not acceptable.
“Any amount of alcohol affects your ability to drive and the only safe option is not to drive if you plan to drink. Our message is simple – do not drink and drive.”
In 2010, 2.9 per cent of those tested aged 25 and under failed the test. But during the 2011 festive campaign, the failure rate amongst under 25s was 1.7 per cent compared to 1.2 per cent for the over 25 category.
County Councillor Tim Ashton said: "These figures confirm that attitudes to drink driving have changed beyond all recognition and it is very encouraging to see that the vast majority of people are aware of the potential consequences and would never take the risk.
"The number of people tested in Lancashire during the Christmas campaign is a great credit to the police and helps to reinforce the message that if you drink alcohol or take drugs before driving there is a very high risk that you will cause a serious accident or be pulled over and tested."