Cheshire Police have released their winter drink and drug driving results following a series of road safety initiatives which were conducted during December last year.
In Cheshire officers carried out 3273 breath tests between 1st December 2011 and 1st January 2012. These resulted in 157 arrests, nine of which were in Wilmslow and one in Alderley Edge. This compares with three arrests in Wilmslow and none in Alderley Edge during the same period in 2011.
Whilst the number of roadside breath tests were up on last year, the 'offender rate' was down from 5.67% in 2011 to 5.04% last Christmas. In 2011 3089 breath tests were carried out across Cheshire and 175 motorists were arrested.
Initiatives included targeting motorists who drive the morning after a night of drinking. Whilst a significant number of tests were conducted between 8am and midday they accounted for less than 3% of arrests.
50% of the arrests took place between 00:01hrs on a Saturday and 23:59hrs on a Sunday and the biggest offenders (19%) were male drivers aged between 26 and 30.
As part of the enforcement measures, Cheshire Police also tested drivers for being under the influence of drugs. Across Cheshire, 26 field impairment tests were carried out and 8 arrests were made. From the results, the average age of drug drivers was 28.
Dave Murray, Road Safety Officer said in relation to this, "many young people I speak to genuinely believe that certain drugs - mainly cannabis and stimulants make you a safer driver, this is a myth. The reality is that taking drugs and attempting to drive carries serious consequences.
"Drugs, like alcohol, have the capacity to distort your perception of things in all kinds of ways. One thing is certain, they definitely do not enhance your ability to carry out the complex task of driving, and they only make it more difficult and dangerous."
PC Andy Taylor, North West Motorway Police Group also commented that, "The results from last years Operation Keret demonstrate that a certain amount of drivers are willing to flaunt the law and drive whilst under the influence of drink and drugs. Cheshire Police will continue to detect and prosecute drivers under the influence to make the communities of Cheshire East, Cheshire West, Halton and Warrington a safer place."
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