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Crackdown on Christmas drink driving sees 26 caught in and around Preston

Posted on - 26th January, 2014 - 4:12pm | Author - | Posted in - Crime, Lancashire Police, Preston News

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Police in Preston stopped 439 more motorists over the Christmas period than last year, but only caught two more drink-drivers.

Officers from Lancashire Police’s central division performed 2,429 breath tests compared to 1,990 in 2012.

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26 people tested positive or refused to take a breath test, compared to 24 in 2012.

The tests were part of a county-wide crackdown on drink-driving with 17,400 drivers stopped in Lancashire during the festive season.

Chief Insp Debbie Howard said: “It is pleasing to see the number of people drink driving on Lancashire’s roads has reduced. I hope that the message is getting through to people that drink driving is extremely dangerous and the consequences are high.

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“221 people caught drink driving is still too many though. We are not complacent and will continue to carry out regular enforcement to take action against those who continue to break the law.”

Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw added: “People who choose to drink and drive are not only putting their own lives in serious danger, they are risking the lives of everyone around them.

“That is why this operation over Christmas was so important and while I am delighted the overwhelming majority of people tested were not under the influence, it is disappointing that over 200 people in Lancashire chose to take to the road after drinking alcohol. They have put both themselves and others on the road at serious risk.

“I saw first-hand in Blackpool the effort which goes into the drink drive operation from Lancashire Constabulary’s officers, and I am fully behind the Constabulary’s ongoing efforts to target those who put lives at risk on our roads. High-profile operations such as this can only help spread the message further and be positive for the county’s residents.”

County Councillor John Fillis, Lancashire County Council cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “Driving while under the influence of drink or drugs is a risk simply not worth taking.

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“The evidence is clear that you’re many times more likely to cause a crash if you’re over the limit than a driver who hasn’t been drinking.

“This operation demonstrates that prevention of drink driving is a high priority in Lancashire and we’ll continue to work closely with the police to keep people safe on our roads.”

If you would like to report someone who you suspect of driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs, contact the police on 101. In an emergency, always dial 999.

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