Fewer failed Xmas breath tests
Thursday, 17 Jan 2008 09:38
Failed breath tests down by 20 per cent at Christmas, police say
Police have reported a fall in the number of motorists in England and Wales who failed breath tests over Christmas.
The Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) said there was a 20 per cent drop in people failing breathalyser tests during its annual festive crackdown.
This was despite a seven per cent rise in the number of tests being carried out to 155,000.
According to the Acpo statistics, there was also no significant difference in the failure rate between drivers aged under and over 25.
The figures also revealed a slight dip in the number of drivers caught under the influence of drugs.
Steve Green, head of roads policing for Acpo and chief constable of Nottinghamshire police, said the figures suggested the "increased enforcement" had made a positive impact.
"Those arrested will now be brought to justice and face potentially life-changing consequences, with disqualification, a fine or imprisonment all possible results for their actions," Mr Green explained.
Road safety minister Jim Fitzpatrick added he was "delighted" with the fall in failed tests.
"This sends out a powerful message to anyone thinking of drink driving - you are in a dwindling minority and have an increasingly high chance of being caught," he explained.