Partnership publishes festive breath-testing figures

22 January 2009

Between 1 December 2008 and 1 January 2009, Derbyshire police breath-tested 4,590 drivers and 216 of them (4.7%) tested positive. Results from the previous campaign showed that 3,552 drivers were tested and 160 of them (4.5%) tested positive.

A total of 668 crashes were recorded during the December 2008 campaign compared to 648 in 2007 – a rise of three percent.

Derbyshire police automatically breath-test drivers who are involved in crashes. During the 2008 campaign, 835 drivers were breath tested for this reason and 101 of them (12%) tested positive. The previous year 491 drivers were breath tested following a crash and 33 of them (6.7%) tested positive.

Crashes resulting in injury increased by 26 (10%) during the 2008 campaign when compared to the previous year’s total of 255.

Chief Superintendent Lynn Harris from Derbyshire police said: “The partnership’s message to festive party-goers couldn’t have been clearer – if you drink and drive then the force will be with you.  Our message to drink drivers is that we will continue to be with you throughout 2009.

"Drink driving ruins lives – that’s why people who do it can look forward to a driving ban of at least 12 months, a criminal record and a large fine. Please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if you see someone getting behind the wheel after drinking."