Drink-drive campaign 'sees hundreds of arrests'

Date: 21/1/2011

An anti drink-driving campaign that took place over the festive period saw an average of 200 arrests being made every day, it has been revealed.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) announced that it was "disappointed" by the figures, with police officers in England and Wales taking part in the scheme arresting a total of 6,613 drivers.

Among these were those who tested positive for being over the alcohol limited, in addition to those who either refused to take or failed the roadside test.

Of those who were arrested, almost one-third (32 per cent) were under the age of 25.

Duncan Vernon, RoSPA's Road Safety Manager for England, said: "Road conditions across much of the country were extremely tough during December and it is particularly worrying to think that so many drivers were making an already difficult situation worse by getting behind the wheel while over the limit."

Before Christmas, Portsmouth publication The News revealed that police carried out on the spot checks to ensure motorists were not driving over the legal limit.

Posted by Sarah Bailey