Ref:04/07 January 15, 2007
DRINK AND DRUG DRIVING REMAINS A PROBLEM

Results of the Christmas crackdown on drink driving show that drink and drug driving is still a problem, despite hard hitting advertising and increased enforcement activity. The figures, published today, are the outcome of the annual campaign over the Christmas period by the Association of Chief Police Officers in partnership with the Department of Transport.

The campaign, which ran throughout England and Wales for the whole of December 2006, saw 145,867 drivers breath tested – the greatest number to date - of whom 9,658 tested positive (6.6 per cent). We welcome this slight drop in the number from last year’s campaign which saw 6.9 per cent tested positive. The total levels of police enforcement (number of breath tests carried out) were up by almost ten per cent on last year.

The total number of breath tests carried out on drivers involved in collisions that resulted in injury for the 2006 period was 12,494 of whom 915 tested positive (7.3 per cent). Again, this figure is down on last year which saw the number of positive tests following a collision at 8.6 per cent.

Fit to drive tests were carried out again this year as part of the national campaign. Fit tests were conducted on 666 drivers who were suspected of being impaired whilst driving under the influence of drugs. 251 drivers were arrested for drink or drug impairment offences (37.68 per cent) not necessarily as a direct result of a fit to drive test. This figure is higher than last year and there remains evidence that despite more tests being carried out, the current process of traditional impairment tests* is bureaucratic and difficult to enforce.

Meredydd Hughes QPM, ACPO lead on Road Policing and Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police, said:

“We believe this has been the most productive drink drive campaign to date with the number of breath tests carried out nationally having increased by nearly ten per cent. Some forces throughout the country committed additional funding to the campaign which has been a driving force behind the increased number of tests carried out. We know that between them alone, Greater Manchester Police and Merseyside Police breathalysed 8,500 more people than last year.

“The 9,658 drink drivers breathalysed and arrested will be brought to justice and could face disqualification, a fine or imprisonment as a result of their choice to drink and drive.

“The campaign has also continued to put pressure on those whose driving is impaired by the use of drugs. It’s increasingly worrying that a large percentage of the 666 drivers who were given the fit to drive test were arrested for drugs offences.

“As always, the thanks of the police service go to those responsible drivers who enjoy the festive season without driving under the influence, making the roads safer for everyone. People considering driving whilst under the influence of either drink or drugs should be aware that this police crackdown is not just for Christmas – it’s for life.”

Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander added:

“These results demonstrate just how much importance both the Government and police attach to the dangers of drink driving. I welcome that the police conducted more breath tests and that there were fewer drink related accidents. This shows what can be achieved by a joint approach, comprising a hard hitting THINK! Campaign educating motorists about the dangers of driving even after one drink and tough enforcement. I would like to congratulate the police for their efforts over the Christmas period.”

ENDS

Notes for Editors

• *Impairment tests include touching your noise, standing on one leg etc.

• Bids are being taken for interviews with Meredydd Hughes between 7.30am and 8.45am and 12.30pm and 1pm on Tuesday 16 January. Interviews will have to take place in Sheffield. Please contact the ACPO press office.

• Figures for the ACPO Christmas drink and drug driving campaign 2006:

Total number of breath tests: 145,867
Total number of positive, refused or failed: 9658

Total number of breath tests in injury collisions: 12,494
Total number of positive, refused or failed: 915

Total number of breath tests in damage only collisions: 13992
Total number of positive, refused or failed: 1030

Total number of fit tests conducted: 666
Total number of resulting in arrests: 251

• Please contact your local force for regional drink and drug driving figures.

• The ACPO Press Office can be contacted via 020 7084 8946/7/8 or via 07803 903686 (out of office hours). Please direct any calls for the Department of Transport to the DfT press office: Victoria Buxton 020 7944 3337 or via 020 7944 4292 (out of hours).

• Through a series of committees and working groups ACPO members, often in consultation with develop policy and guidance for the police service. The Association aims to assist chief officers in providing excellence in leadership of the service; to ensure a professional and ethical service is delivered to all communities; and to provide professional advice to Government. Police Authorities other organisations and individuals with an interest in policing issues.

• ACPO’s 312 members are police officers of Assistant Chief Constable rank (Commanders in the Metropolitan Police and City of London Police) and above, and senior police staff managers, in the 44 forces in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, plus national agencies such as NCIS and the National Crime Squad, and other forces such as British Transport Police and States of Jersey Police.