Drink drive figures are down

5 August 2010, 06:00

There has been a fall in the number of people caught drink driving in Gloucestershire this summer.

Gloucestershire Police carried out over 600 breath tests and arrested 52 people during the annual campaign, which ran during June, alongside the world cup.

52 of those breath tested - that's 8 per cent - either refused to give a breath specimen or gave a positive breath test, some of whom have already appeared in court and been banned from driving.
 
This compares to last summer's campaign when police carried out 754 tests on drivers, with 12 per cent failing or refusing to cooperate.

Inspector of the Constabulary’s Road Safety and Traffic Management department, Keith Fagan, said he was pleased to see a reduction in the figures but was keen to see them drop further:

"We’re incredibly pleased at this reduction on last year’s figures and that drivers are heeding the advice given in the campaign. However, it is disappointing that there are still people who insist on risking their lives and the lives of others by drinking and driving.

"We would like to reassure the community that our work doesn’t end when the campaign does and we will continue to be vigilant in bringing offenders to justice and keeping the county’s roads safe."

The drivers arrested will now be going to court and face a 12 month driving ban imposed on them. They will also receive a criminal record, could receive up to six months in prison and a fine of up to £5,000.