Christmas drink-driving figures down on last year

FEWER motorists were found to be over the drink-drive limit in Staffordshire in December compared to last Christmas.

Staffordshire Police's annual Christmas and New Year drink-driving campaign ran from December 1 until January 1.

In that period, 1,832 motorists were breath-tested of whom 80 – 4.4 per cent – were over the legal limit. This compared to 4.9 per cent in 2007/08 and 6.7 per cent in 2006/07.

Les Dyble, the force's traffic management officer, said: "Although it's very pleasing that the percentage of over-the-limit motorists continues to fall, it's sad that some people still think they can get away with drink-driving.

"Not only are they putting their own lives at risk, they are a potentially lethal danger to other road users and pedestrians."

In Stoke-on-Trent, officers carried out 442 breath tests with 21 recorded as positive. The figures compare to 452 tests carried out, and 24 proving positive, in the same period 12 months ago.

Sgt Ian Revans, divisional road policing sergeant, said: "The results of the Christmas drink drive campaign indicates that most drivers accept that drinking and driving can lead to death and injury on our roads.

"Almost all drivers we stopped on our dedicated operations were appreciative of what we were doing and supportive of the action."

In North Staffordshire 506 breath tests were carried out with 15 recorded as positive. The figures compare to 439 breath tests carried out, and 15 proving positive, in the same period 12 months ago.

Sgt Dave Shenton, from the division's Road Safety Team, said: "It appears the vast majority of drivers had taken heed of the warnings but a small number had not."