Festive breath-testing figures published

20 January 2010

Derbyshire police have released the results of their Christmas breath-testing campaign.

The campaign ran between Tuesday 1 December and Thursday 31 December, during which time officers conducted breath tests on drivers across the county to reduce the number of people driving while under the influence of alcohol.

It was part of a wider winter road safety campaign, Operation Culvery, which sought to reduce the number of young people killed on the county's roads by offering safety advice and increasing patrols and speed checks.

Officers administered 1,011 breath tests and of those, 121 people (or 11 per cent) gave a positive test, the driver refused to take the test or the driver failed to provide a sample.

Although more tests were administered in 2008, only four per cent were positive, the driver refused to take the test or the driver failed to provide a sample.

Chief Inspector Tim Frohwein, head of Roads Policing for Derbyshire Constabulary, said: "Fewer tests were carried out during this campaign compared to the previous year because officers concentrated on high-risk drivers in a more intelligence-led approach.

"Our focus has moved to drivers who persistently drink-drive or where we've received specific information from the public that a person is drink driving.

"People who suspected others of getting behind the wheel after a drink called the police to tell us and 21 calls about drink-drivers were made to Crimestoppers. We are grateful to these callers for their assistance.

"Although fewer tests were administered, the percentage of positive tests was far higher than in previous years, proving the value of out intelligence-led approach in 2009."

Chief Insp Tim Frohwein said he was disappointed that so many drivers disregarded police advice and flouted the law by drink-driving and posing a substantial risk to other road users.

He added: "Some people may feel that it is not a serious offence. But just ask those who go on to lose their licences, get a criminal conviction and possibly lose their jobs how serious an offence it is.

"Or speak to the family of a person who has been killed or injured by a drink driver. Drink driving ruins lives."

During the campaign, Derby and Derbyshire Road Safety Partnership urged people to make their last order a taxi home rather than risk driving while drunk.

Peer educators from Derbyshire County Primary Care Trust visited pubs and clubs to hand out a free safe travel guide to people in their teens and early twenties. Partying? Your 5 step guide to getting home safely was designed to fit easily into a wallet or purse so that revellers can use it while they're out and about.

Adverts highlighting the dangers of drink-driving also featured in newspapers and on Derbyshire radio stations throughout December.

Posters warning of the consequences of drink-driving were displayed in bars, pubs and clubs and bar staff were given badges urging people to make their last order a taxi home.

Robert Hill, manager of the road safety partnership, said: "There's no foolproof way of drinking and staying under the limit - your tolerance to alcohol depends on loads of stuff including what you've eaten and how stressed you are. We're encouraging people to plan ahead so they can get home without harming themselves or anyone else."
 
"Please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if you see someone getting behind the wheel after drinking. You won't be asked your name, your call won't be traced and you don't have to go to court."