Public Servant Lifestyle

Education is being seen as the way forward for drivers who are tempted to have a drink while out with their vehicles.

Latest figures from the recent Northumbria Police Christmas drink drive campaign, which ran from December 1 to January 1, show an 18% fail rate for drivers breath tested. This is slightly up on the previous two years.

Of the 1,029 drivers breath tested, 188 proved positive, refused or failed. This includes 43 drivers who were breath tested after a crash.

Operations Department Chief Inspector Kevin Wellden, said: "These figures are disappointing, as they follow high profile campaigns to cut this behaviour which can so often have fatal consequences. Drivers may just think it's a couple of drinks but this can literally mean the difference between life and death as well as the loss of the driver's licence for at least a year, a fine, massive increases in insurance premiums and loss of jobs and homes.

"As a force we are looking to continue to enforce the law in relation to drink driving as part of our everyday business. This tough stance is not just taken at Christmas but goes on for the entire year. We will be looking to work with our partners to deter drivers from drinking and driving through education."

The slight increase was initially shown in a six day snapshot in mid December, when figures collected for the European-wide TISPOL campaign showed the number of positive breath tests increase 13%.

Chief Inspector Wellden added: "Our message remains the same: don't drink or take drugs and drive."

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