Over 250 arrested for drink driving

Drink Drive breathalyser

Over 250 motorists have been arrested during this year’s summer drink drive campaign.

As part of the national initiative, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officers carried out 4,910 breath tests, of which 252 (5%) were positive.

Five hundred and fifty tests were carried out after collisions, and five people were found to be under the influence of drugs following roadside tests.

In addition, police educated motorists on the dangers of drink driving and the penalties for doing so as part of GMP’s road safety campaign, Dicing with Death. This was set up after 75 people lost their lives on the roads of Greater Manchester in 2011 – a 42 per cent increase on the previous year.

Inspector John Armfield, GMP’s lead on drink driving, said: “With the warmer weather and longer evenings there is the temptation for people to have one or two drinks outside after work and then drive home, but this is exactly the type of scenario that can lead to drink driving.

“Although this was a summer initiative, the advice to motorists is the same throughout the year – if you are having a drink, do not drive, and make alternative arrangements to get home, as that way you won't endanger anyone’s life on the road.

“Words cannot describe the enormous impact on families who lose loved ones through drink or drug driving, and we will continue to do all we can to bring down the number of casualties.”

Police are reminding motorists that:

• Any amount of alcohol affects your ability to drive
• There is no fool-proof way of drinking and staying under the limit 
• The amount and type of alcoholic drink and your weight, sex, age and metabolism will all play their part 
• Sobering up tricks do not work 
• If you have been out drinking the night before you may still be over the limit the next day

If you're convicted of drink driving:

• You'll have a criminal record
• You won't be allowed to drive for at least a year
• You could lose your job
• You will have higher insurance costs
• Your driving licence will be endorsed for 11 years