PCC disappointed by drink drive results

Suffolk PCC spoke today of his disappointment that the results of the Constabulary’s Christmas drink drive campaign show that the message is still not getting through.
Tim Passmore said, “I find it really staggering that despite the obvious dangers and the huge amount of publicity, drivers do not seem to be getting the message. Drivers need to understand that if they drive under the influence of alcohol they risk their lives and the lives of others. I fully support the Constabulary’s approach to tackling drink driving and we need to do we can to ensure that the message is getting through, to these irresponsible drivers that drink driving wrecks lives and is totally unacceptable. ”
Over four people were caught over the drink drive limit every day in Suffolk, during a joint Norfolk and Suffolk Police campaign this Christmas and New Year.
The campaign began on 1 December 2013 and saw the two forces working together to provide a visible presence throughout the day and night, seven days a week until its conclusion on 1 January 2014.
In Suffolk 1980 people were stopped and breath tested of which 138 were found to be over the limit. This equates to 7% of the tests carried out being positive, which on average is just over four people (4.31) caught every day in Suffolk during the campaign.
Notably 58 of 415 breath tests that were carried out following collisions came back as positive, which equates to nearly 14%. This is up from 6.6% in the 2012 campaign.
Chief Inspector Chris Spinks of the joint Norfolk and Suffolk Roads Policing and Firearms Operations Unit said:
“It is disappointing that 7% of the tests carried out were positive. Despite the fact that we highlight the drink drive campaign and the obvious dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol, 138 people still risked their lives and the lives of others. This is evident in the decision of 58 people to drink and drive resulting in a collision.”
“Those who drink and drive need to realise that their actions can have devastating consequences and while this particular campaign has ended, our commitment to target drivers affected by drink and drugs remains and checks will continue throughout the year.”