85 drivers arrested for drink driving over Christmas (From Salisbury Journal)

85 drivers arrested for drink driving over Christmas

11:01am Thursday 10th January 2013 in News By Hannah White

THE results of Wiltshire Police’s Christmas Drug and Drink Driving Campaign 2012 have shown that 85 drivers were arrested for drink driving.

And 13 drivers were arrested on suspicion of being under the influence of drugs while driving.

The campaign, which ran from December 1 to January 1, saw 2,579 breath tests undertaken, with 85 drivers either giving a positive test or failing to provide a test.

Inspector Steve Cox, head of roads policing, said: “Overall, these figures represent a productive and successful campaign.

“The number of collisions reported to Wiltshire Police between December 1, 2012, and January 1, 2013, has fallen by 277 compared to the same period last year which reduced the number of breath tests administered following collisions by 65 and the total number of those that were positive, refused or failed to provide fell by six.

“The aim of this year’s campaign was firstly to highlight the dangers of drug and drink driving supported by a planned pro-active increase in the number of road checks and vehicles stopped.

“What I would like to make perfectly clear is that we have officers patrolling our roads throughout the year – not just over the Christmas period.

“Drivers should not get complacent as we have teams targeting those drivers who put themselves and others at risk by getting behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.”

Anyone who wants to report someone for a driving offence should contact Wiltshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.