4.5% positive tests in Christmas anti drink-drive campaign

In just under the first two weeks of the Christmas anti-drink drive campaign Essex Police officers have breathalysed 931 people and 42 of them were positive.

The figures for December 1-13 show that 4.5% of those tested had an alcohol reading above the limit. 38 were men and four were women. Eight were aged under 25 and 35 are over 25 years of age.

Adam Pipe, Casualty Reduction Manager said: “We are targeting town centres and areas where people are gathering for Christmas parties and we are handing out leaflets and giving advice. We don’t want to make any arrests but want people to act responsibly and make alternative travel plans if they know they will be drinking alcohol.”

He added: “There are some drivers who think they are obeying the law but are in fact breaking it by getting into their cars the morning after a night of drinking. We have made a number of arrests the morning after.

“Drivers need to be aware that regardless of the time of day they are caught, whether they are going to work or taking children to school, they will face the same penalties as someone who has chosen to drink heavily in a pub and driven at night.”