[column width=”63%” padding=”7%”]Police today revealed they had arrested 100 motorists in their Christmas drink and drug drive campaign – more than last year.
The arrests were up even though North Yorkshire Police conducted far fewer roadside breath tests – 2,778 this festive season compared to 4,000 last year.[/column][column width=”30%” padding=”0″]More North Yorkshire police news
York crime stats in detail[/column][end_columns]
The police say this is due to a targeted approach to catching offenders. They focused on routes known to be favoured by drink and drug drivers, and acted on information from the public.
Of the 100 arrests, 63 motorists were charged. Twenty-eight have already been banned from driving by the courts.
Five people were arrested on suspicion of driving while unfit through drugs and are on bail.
“While I am delighted that we made so many arrests during the campaign it is extremely disappointing that people still think that drink and drug driving is acceptable,” said Traffic Sergeant Pete Stringer, who coordinated the Christmas drink and drug drive campaign.
“Our approach this time was aimed at trying to catch people who are breaking the law and putting lives at risk, rather than breath testing large numbers of people and in that respect it has been a very successful campaign.”
He thanked the public for tipping the police off about drivers they suspected were under the influence.
“The public’s input is very important in helping to rid our roads of drink and drug drivers and if they continue to work with us and people heed the warnings, we can help put a stop to the unnecessary tragedies which occur every year.”
Those already dealt with include a 31-year-old man who was caught drink driving and driving while disqualified. York Magistrates banned him from driving for three years and ordered him to undertake 140 hours unpaid work.