PCC disappointed that some drivers are still not heeding the drink drive message

More than 2,000 drivers were breath tested in  Suffolk during the Christmas drink drive campaign.
During the month long crackdown 2,190 people were breath tested with 109 positive readings.
Roads policing officers carried out extra patrols between Monday 1 December 2014 and Thursday 1 January 2015, stopping vehicles through concern over the manner of driving, vehicles with faults and testing anyone involved in a collision.
Tim Passmore, Police and Crime Commissioner for Suffolk said, “It is very disappointing to see that too many drivers are still taking to the road under the influence of drink or drugs. This cavalier attitude to safety is completely indefensible.
“It beggars belief that despite the obvious dangers and the huge amount of publicity, some drivers do not seem to be getting the message.
“All drivers need to understand that drink driving risk their lives and the lives of others. I fully support the Constabulary’s approach to tackling drink driving and hope that slowly but surely the message is getting through, that drink driving wrecks lives and is totally unacceptable.” Chief Inspector Chris Spinks, head of the Roads Policing Unit, said: “The number of tests carried out in comparison to the positive readings shows it is still a minority of people who take risks by drinking and driving.
“Drivers thought to be under the influence of drink are stopped and tested all year round but the seasonal campaigns give us the opportunity to highlight the dangers associated with getting behind the wheel while over the limit and the consequences of being caught.
“It is always disappointing to see people ignoring the message; I still find it surprising to find people taking such risks with their own safety as well as the lives of others.
“People caught drink driving will not only have a criminal record but will almost certainly lose their licence and means not only will you lose your licence but you may even lose your job. In the most serious cases the consequences of your actions could cause serious injury or even death. The risk simply isn’t worth it.”
Ch Insp Spinks added his thanks to local media, Crimestoppers and partner agencies for supporting the campaign and helping to spread road safety messages.